Re: The End of Science

[dykstrad@varney.idbsu.edu (Dewey Dykstra, Jr.)]

Responding to a note by George Spagna:

> At 07:33 PM 7/28/96 -0600, Jim Green wrote:
> > 2)  A Tom Coony (?) was mentioned -- just passes -- has ideas about "new
> > paradigms" etc  Who is *he*?
>
> Thomas Kuhn, author of "The Structure of Scientific Revolutions"

For those who really want to read a serious review of _all_ of Kuhn's work,
including what he finally decided on as the nature of a paradigm, find a
copy of "Reconstructing Scientific Revolutions" by Paul Hoyningen-Huene.
In the preface Kuhn says that H-H has the best handle on his work of
anyone, including himself.

> > 3)  Isn't this the same thinking as in physics circles at the turn of the
> > century?  We have learned all there is to know about physics -- oh yes we
> > haven't explained the thermal emission curve nor perhaps the photoelectric
> > effect, but other that these trivialities, we know pretty much all there is
> > to know about physics.
>
> Yes  -  ironically notable in claiming this was Albert A. Michelson!

Just because a person can make some interesting, and even important,
measurements, it does not mean that this person is necessarily at the
cutting edge of thought about their significance.

Dewey

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Dewey I. Dykstra, Jr.                   Phone: (208)385-3105
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