Innovation and Social Exchange

Abstract

In recent years the most widely discussed interpretation of scientific development has been that formulated by T. S. Kuhn in The Structure of Scientific Revolutions. In this book Kuhn puts forward a thesis which is entirely consistent with the argument and data presented above. Indeed, several of his notions have already been introduced into the discussion. I shall therefore begin this section with an account of Kuhn’s central ideas. Because Kuhn’s work has been the subject of much written comment I shall give here only the barest outline.