1. In Chapter 8, Kuhn suggests that many scientific discoveries are brought on by crisis. What does Kuhn mean by "comparing paradigms to nature"?

2. Since paradigm changes and scientific revolutions completely change society's world view through scientific discovery by revoking past beliefs, how can the new discoveries be verified to the point that they are known as certain? (i.e. global warming?) Also, what is Kuhn's definition of paradigm in the context of climate change?

3. If one were to graph the rate of the progress of research, what would it look like? What would "normal science" look like? What would science look like as an anomaly is discovered? What would it look like during a crisis? How do these sorts of paradigm shifts compare to Gladwell's social tipping points, or to the graphs of historical temperature from Greenland ice cores?

Back to the Chemistry Department Course Page

Back to Trish Ferrett's Homepage

Back to the Chemistry Department Homepage

This page is created and maintained by Trish Ferrett.
If you have questions or comments, please send E-mail.