A estrutura das revoluções científicas de Kuhn: uma breve exposição

Abstract

How is scientific progress effected? Are there criteria for choosing scientific theories? What is the impact of cognitive and extra-cognitive values on scientific communities? To address issues like these, science philosopher Thomas Kuhn develops a structuralist perspective with a historical basis. We present the structure of scientific revolutions proposed by this thinker. Initially, we deal with the notion of paradigm, a key concept in its explanation of the functioning of science and scientific progress. Then we present the phases through which an area of research commonly goes through its trajectory: pre-science, normal science, crisis and revolution. We conclude the paper by drawing some parallels of this thinker's position with other epistemological perspectives of the last century.