“A scientific theory is usually felt to be better than its predecessors”
— Thomas KuhnThe Structure of Scientific Revolutions (1962), Postscript (1969); short excerpt
Commentary
In the postscript, Kuhn examines what it means to say that a later scientific theory is better than an earlier one. He recognises that scientific progress can be assessed through problem-solving performance, predictive accuracy and the ability to address a broader range of questions. However, he questions whether this improvement establishes that successive theories necessarily provide increasingly accurate descriptions of reality in every respect. His argument distinguishes progress in scientific problem-solving from a stronger philosophical claim about convergence on a single, theory-independent representation of the world. This distinction is important when assessing whether Kuhn should be classified as a relativist. His account does not deny every meaningful comparison between theories; it challenges a particular understanding of what such comparisons establish. The excerpt is incomplete and should not be used as a standalone statement of his full position.
Commentary
In the postscript, Kuhn examines what it means to say that a later scientific theory is better than an earlier one. He recognises that scientific progress can be assessed through problem-solving performance, predictive accuracy and the ability to address a broader range of questions. However, he questions whether this improvement establishes that successive theories necessarily provide increasingly accurate descriptions of reality in every respect. His argument distinguishes progress in scientific problem-solving from a stronger philosophical claim about convergence on a single, theory-independent representation of the world. This distinction is important when assessing whether Kuhn should be classified as a relativist. His account does not deny every meaningful comparison between theories; it challenges a particular understanding of what such comparisons establish. The excerpt is incomplete and should not be used as a standalone statement of his full position.