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6 - Thomas Kuhn, Normal Science, and Education

from Part II - Normal Science and Science Education

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  05 January 2024

K. Brad Wray
Affiliation:
Aarhus Universitet, Denmark
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Summary

Kuhn’s notion of normal science seemingly advocated doctrinaire science education. This chapter documents this in Kuhn’s writings, and considers the argument from Popper, Feyerabend, and others that Kuhnian normal science would encourage dogmatism and stifle innovation. The chapter argues that it is possible to ameliorate the dogmatism in science education while respecting the necessities of professional training. Modern science can afford to maintain multiple paradigms within a field, producing the benefits of toleration while maintaining the advantages of Kuhnian normal science within each paradigm. Moreover, it is possible to educate each scientist in a pluralist way, fostering innovative thinking. The chapter argues that such pluralism is already present in physics education to a surprising extent and that it can plausibly be extended further.

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Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Print publication year: 2024

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