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182905

Scientific schools and their success

Joseph Agassi

pp. 164-191

Abstract

A view of the social structure of science is now popular, according to which each discipline of science is autonomous and its membership is divided into the few leaders and the rank-and-file, also known as normal scientists. The leaders declare what is the model scientific theory in the field, also known as a paradigm. A scientific revolution is a paradigm change, and is effected by the leadership, old or new. Normal scientists, finally, solve routine problems, also known as puzzles, in the light of the paradigm. This terminology is of Thomas S. Kuhn. The view it reflects is now popular, its advocate is Kuhn and its originator is Michael Polanyi.

Publication details

Published in:

Agassi Joseph (1981) Science and society: studies in the sociology of science. Dordrecht, Springer.

Pages: 164-191

DOI: 10.1007/978-94-011-6456-6_14

Full citation:

Agassi Joseph (1981) Scientific schools and their success, In: Science and society, Dordrecht, Springer, 164–191.