Abandonment Quote by Thomas Kuhn
![“To turn Karl [Popper]'s view on its head, it is precisely the abandonment of critical discourse that marks the transition of science. Once a field has made the transition, critical discourse recurs only at moments of crisis when the bases of the field are again in jeopardy. Only when they must…” quote by Thomas Kuhn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/bc7/thomas-kuhn-15362_abandonment_to-turn-karl-popper-s-view-on-its-head-i_1802478.jpg)
“To turn Karl [Popper]'s view on its head, it is precisely the abandonment of critical discourse that marks the transition of science. Once a field has made the transition, critical discourse recurs only at moments of crisis when the bases of the field are again in jeopardy. Only when they must choose between competing theories do scientists behave like philosophers.”
About This Quote
Source Book: The Structure of Scientific Revolutions, 1962
Science advances when critical discourse is abandoned, resurfacing only in crises that demand theory choice.
In simple terms: Critical debate fades until a field faces a crisis.
Key Takeaway
Recognize when critical discourse is needed.
Themes
science
crisis
theory choice
Mood
thoughtful
serious
Type
philosophical
academic
When to use this quote
- research funding decisions
- academic debates
- policy making
Key Concepts
philosophy of science
paradigm shift
Questions to Reflect On
- What triggers a scientific crisis?
- How to maintain healthy debate continuously?
A Different Perspective
Overemphasis on crisis may ignore incremental progress.
