The Last Writings of Thomas S. Kuhn: Incommensurability in Science

A must-read follow-up to "The Structure of Scientific Revolutions," this book contains the text of Thomas S. Kuhn's unfinished book "The Plurality of Worlds: An Evolutionary Theory of Scientific Development." It explores the central philosophical problems raised in "The Structure of Scientific Revolutions" and develops an empirically grounded theory of meaning to explain the possibility of historical understanding and the inevitability of incommensurability between past and present science.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 312 pages
Publication date: 08 May 2024
Publisher: The University of Chicago Press

A captivating and essential read that follows up on the groundbreaking work of The Structure of Scientific Revolutions, one of the most influential books of the 20th century. This remarkable book presents the complete text of Thomas S. Kuhn's unfinished masterpiece, The Plurality of Worlds: An Evolutionary Theory of Scientific Development. Kuhn himself regarded this work as a continuation of the central ideas explored in his earlier masterpiece and as a response to the issues it raised but failed to fully address.

Before The Plurality of Worlds, Kuhn had written two related texts, which he delivered publicly but never published in English. These include his paper "Scientific Knowledge as Historical Product" and his Shearman Memorial Lectures, titled "The Presence of Past Science." An introduction by the editor provides valuable insights into the origins and structure of The Plurality of Worlds, shedding light on its central philosophical challenges.

In his final writings, Kuhn embarks on a bold endeavor to develop an empirically grounded theory of meaning that would enable him to comprehend the possibility of historical understanding and the inevitable clash between past and present science. He firmly believes that incommensurability, a fundamental aspect of scientific development, can coexist harmoniously with a robust notion of the real world that science investigates, the rationality of scientific change, and the progressive nature of scientific progress.

Through his profound and thought-provoking ideas, Kuhn challenges our preconceptions about the nature of scientific knowledge and the evolution of scientific paradigms. The Plurality of Worlds is a testament to his intellectual brilliance and his enduring contribution to the field of philosophy of science. It is a must-read for anyone interested in the complexities of scientific inquiry and the profound implications of scientific revolutions.

Weight: 481g
Dimension: 229 x 152 x 23 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780226833316