Historian of science Thomas Kuhn argued that scientific progress is not strictly cumulative. Periods of "normal science," in which researchers solve puzzles within an accepted framework, are occasionally interrupted by "paradigm shifts" — episodes during which a successor framework displaces its predecessor. Kuhn noted that proponents of competing paradigms often appear to talk past each other, since their disagreement extends to what counts as a relevant problem or a satisfactory solution.
Which conclusion most logically follows from the passage?
- A
Normal science is generally regarded by Kuhn as obstructing progress
- B
The successor paradigm always shares the central commitments of its predecessor
- Ccheck_circle
Disagreements during paradigm shifts may be difficult to resolve through ordinary scientific argument alone
- D
Scientific paradigm shifts can be evaluated cleanly using criteria internal to either paradigm
Explanation
If competing paradigms disagree on what counts as relevant problems and solutions, ordinary in-paradigm argument cannot adjudicate, supporting B. A contradicts that claim; C misreads Kuhn's neutral description; D contradicts displacement.