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)

The reader makes absorbing info difficult

Would you say that listening to this book was time well-spent? Why or why not?

No, unless you have no other choice. Actually reading this one will be time better spent, that is, at least in regard to this audio version.

What did you like best about this story?

This is a very important book in regard to understanding the history and philosophy of science.

Who would you have cast as narrator instead of Dennis Holland?

Certainly not Dennis Holland as he does a horrible job. His performance comes off as a cluelessly peppy version of the Captain Kirk parodied in "Family Guy."

Any additional comments?

If you want to absorb the info in this book, pick up a print copy.

An important work

Kuhn’s treatise turned the word ‘paradigm’ from an obscure synonym for ‘model’ into a (hackneyed?) description of almost any human activity. It’s really only in the context of this book that the idea of paradigm shifts can be appreciated. One of my favorite aspects of this book is how Kuhn describes scientific research from the ancient Greeks through Einstein without giving us any idol worship,

Informative

Informative about the scientific revolutions digging into it's true evolutions and what changes, how people have to adapt and how paradigms are at the center of modern scientific education and research too, but interesting.

Great book but a hard listen.

Would you consider the audio edition of The Structure of Scientific Revolutions to be better than the print version?

Probably not. I found the audio jam packed with thought provoking and new ideas. I tend to listen to audios on my way to work and this was definitely something I need to sit down, study and carefully read each paragraph.

Were the concepts of this book easy to follow, or were they too technical?

They were complicated concepts that require careful consideration.

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

No. Spaced out between thoughts.

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 !