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Group Assignment:
On November 2 you (and 1 or 2 other students) will lead us in a 20 minute presentation of a key idea (or ideas) from Kuhn's Structure of Scientific Revolutions.
- Choose some aspect of Kuhn’s theory that interests you as a group and explain in the context of Kuhn’s larger project what he means by it.
- Illustrate this aspect of the theory with an example of your own (not just taking one over from the textbook), whether that comes from natural science or some other area of “science” (i.e., “knowledge”) more broadly understood (e.g., something from the social sciences or the humanities, or daily life or …).
- Ask yourselves how adequately or inadequately Kuhn’s theory accounts for the phenomenon you have chosen as your example. I.e., try to make it “fit,” but be open to a critical take on Kuhn’s work as well.
- Suggest, if you can, emendations to Kuhn’s ideas that might improve the fit between our understanding of science and science as practiced.
- Feel free to challenge or disagree with Kuhn - BUT - be prepared to argue your case of why Kuhn may be "wrong"
- Unpack the notion of progress in science in light of Kuhn's analysis. Why is this an important point?
- If you have another idea related to Kuhn and this course run it by one of us!
PLEASE provide an outline of you topic no later than October 26 by completing the following form. One of you (and only one!) should act as group convener and fill out this form. Please be sure to scroll to the bottom of the form and be sure to press the "submit" button!
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