The Structure of Scientific Revolutions

By: Thomas S. Kuhn

Narrated by: Dennis Holland

Length: 10 hrs and 14 mins

Publisher's summary

A good book may have the power to change the way we see the world, but a great book actually becomes part of our daily consciousness, pervading our thinking to the point that we take it for granted, and we forget how provocative and challenging its ideas once were - and still are. The Structure of Scientific Revolutions is that kind of book. When it was first published in 1962, it was a landmark event in the history and philosophy of science. Fifty years later, it still has many lessons to teach.

With The Structure of Scientific Revolutions, Kuhn challenged long-standing linear notions of scientific progress, arguing that transformative ideas don't arise from the day-to-day, gradual process of experimentation and data accumulation but that the revolutions in science, those breakthrough moments that disrupt accepted thinking and offer unanticipated ideas, occur outside of "normal science", as he called it. Though Kuhn was writing when physics ruled the sciences, his ideas on how scientific revolutions bring order to the anomalies that amass over time in research experiments are still instructive in our biotech age.

Note: This new edition of Kuhn's essential work in the history of science includes an insightful introduction by Ian Hacking, which clarifies terms popularized by Kuhn, including paradigm and incommensurability, and applies Kuhn's ideas to the science of today.

©1996 The University of Chicago (P)2009 Audible, Inc.

Critic reviews

"A landmark in intellectual history which has attracted attention far beyond its own immediate field." ( Science)

"Perhaps the best explanation of [the] process of discovery." ( New York Times Book Review)

thinking about thinking

landmark book that introduced durable new phases to scientific thought
at 210 pages it is a heavy dose of philosophy however
to "think about thinking" that long is beyond most folks

as with most scientific writing it struggles to be readable
it helps to remember it was not written to be read by the general reader
it was written to survive the focused scrutiny of his academic rivals

scientific revolutions are necessarily intensely painful events
comfortable useful frameworks are forcefully traded in for better ones
the cards are reshuffled and not everyone likes their new spot in the deck

the book is memorable as much for the text as for the discussions it started
the pace of scientific/intellectual revolutions will only quicken
they will be easier to understand with the map provided by kuhn

A seminal work, expertly narrated

What made the experience of listening to The Structure of Scientific Revolutions the most enjoyable?

Nowadays we throw around the word

What was one of the most memorable moments of The Structure of Scientific Revolutions?

This isn't a book of

What about Dennis Holland???s performance did you like?

Dennis Holland's narration of Kuhn's precise, sometimes technical writing is lively and easily digested. I disagree with other reviews which claim this book is unsuitable for audio. Under a less capable narrator, yes, it could have been a monotonous listen, but Dennis Holland keeps the content moving.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

The book is certainly engrossing, and I did find myself wrapped up in Kuhn's prose and arguments. On the other hand, it's a dense, meaty book, and others may want to pause periodically to think about and mentally digest some of the important points.

Any additional comments?

I'm very grateful this book found its way to Audible. Anyone serious about the study of history, philosophy, the history of science, or indeed almost any other discipline in the humanities owes it to themselves to read this book.

Powerful book

Great information. Very advanced reading/science level required! I was inspired to brush up on science and listen again.

Mind blowing

This was a great book. The ideas are mind blowing. It is a little difficult to follow in places and can get dry. Overall great book.

Important, but “dense”

Not easy listening. Good to complement the audiobook with a kindle/paper copy for references.

A significant contribution which requires full attention.

Review of The Structure of Scientific Revolutions

Superb. I can’t wait to listen to it ten to twenty more times. Dennis Holland was a very good narrator as well. Thank You Audible !

A classic, but…

…simply argues that “scientists” are human, with all the foibles thereof. Also misleading- “revolutions” implies rapid change, when the argument clearly indicates that change happens gradually, tentatively, and is accepted slowly. Appeals to science skeptics who want to challenge authority of science. Too bad for them that the author recognizes that science changes because the new ideas work better than the old.

The problem is not with the book

This is one of the more historically important books in philosophy and science. It is too bad the audible version has the reader speak in a way that is quite artificial. This radically reduces the ability to attend to the material in a way that is needed to effectively appreciate Kuhn's work. Let us hope for a new recording where the reader does not rove up and down so drastically with intonation or utilize unnecessary pauses where one could continue the stream of thought. I think this is a fine example of when a classic is lost to the limits of understanding of the folks replicating it. All the same, it is great to have it available at all considering the age of the book. I commend audible for offering it, even in its "hard to listen to" state, and I highly recommend more scientific reads!

Just a Beginning

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Absolutely! Anyone in the scientific fields will find the truth of "normal science". Anyone who thinks will be amazed at the depth to which the "Copernican Revolution/paradigm Shift" can take you. This book can be life-altering. This is not Scientology but Philosophy of Science. And it is very cool!

What did you like best about this story?

How the geocentric view of the universe began when the Pope asked someone to create a better calendar.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

No, multiple sessions, wanting to consider and re-consider what Kuhn is suggesting.

Great Research Book

If you are doing any kind of research paper, essay or these, this book is very helpful. I rather listen to The Structure of Scientific Revolutions than to actually read it. Thomas Kuhn is awesome and the book was very interesting and made me think harder on some of the revolutions presented.