Beyond Kuhnian paradigms: Normal science and theory dependence in ecology
Abstract The Structure of Scientific Revolutions by Thomas Kuhn has influenced scientists for decades. It focuses on a progression of science involving periodic, fundamental shifts—revolutions—from one existing paradigm to another. Embedded in this theory is the concept of normal science, that is, s...
| Main Authors: | , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Wiley
2023-07-01
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| Series: | Ecology and Evolution |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1002/ece3.10255 |
| _version_ | 1797357937522376704 |
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| author | Craig A. Layman Andrew L. Rypel |
| author_facet | Craig A. Layman Andrew L. Rypel |
| author_sort | Craig A. Layman |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract The Structure of Scientific Revolutions by Thomas Kuhn has influenced scientists for decades. It focuses on a progression of science involving periodic, fundamental shifts—revolutions—from one existing paradigm to another. Embedded in this theory is the concept of normal science, that is, scientists work within the confines of established theory, a process often compared to a type of puzzle‐solving. This Kuhnian aspect of scientific research has received little attention relative to the much‐scrutinized concepts of revolutions and paradigms. We use Kuhn's normal science framework to reflect on the way ecologists practice science. This involves a discussion of how theory dependence influences each step of the scientific method, specifically, how past experiences and existing research frameworks guide the way ecologists acquire knowledge. We illustrate these concepts with ecological examples, including food web structure and the biodiversity crisis, emphasizing that the way one views the world influences how that person engages in scientific research. We conclude with a discussion of how Kuhnian ideas inform ecological research at practical levels, such as influences on grant funding allocation, and we make a renewed call for the inclusion of philosophical foundations of ecological principles in pedagogy. By studying the processes and traditions of how science is carried out, ecologists can better direct scientific insight to address the world's most pressing environmental problems. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-08T14:52:41Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-ab70a581a48b4f60a444c5af2d9ed868 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2045-7758 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-08T14:52:41Z |
| publishDate | 2023-07-01 |
| publisher | Wiley |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Ecology and Evolution |
| spelling | doaj.art-ab70a581a48b4f60a444c5af2d9ed8682024-01-11T02:50:01ZengWileyEcology and Evolution2045-77582023-07-01137n/an/a10.1002/ece3.10255Beyond Kuhnian paradigms: Normal science and theory dependence in ecologyCraig A. Layman0Andrew L. Rypel1Center for Energy, Environment, and Sustainability Wake Forest University Winston‐Salem North Carolina USADepartment of Wildlife, Fish & Conservation Biology, and Center for Watershed Sciences University of California, Davis Davis California USAAbstract The Structure of Scientific Revolutions by Thomas Kuhn has influenced scientists for decades. It focuses on a progression of science involving periodic, fundamental shifts—revolutions—from one existing paradigm to another. Embedded in this theory is the concept of normal science, that is, scientists work within the confines of established theory, a process often compared to a type of puzzle‐solving. This Kuhnian aspect of scientific research has received little attention relative to the much‐scrutinized concepts of revolutions and paradigms. We use Kuhn's normal science framework to reflect on the way ecologists practice science. This involves a discussion of how theory dependence influences each step of the scientific method, specifically, how past experiences and existing research frameworks guide the way ecologists acquire knowledge. We illustrate these concepts with ecological examples, including food web structure and the biodiversity crisis, emphasizing that the way one views the world influences how that person engages in scientific research. We conclude with a discussion of how Kuhnian ideas inform ecological research at practical levels, such as influences on grant funding allocation, and we make a renewed call for the inclusion of philosophical foundations of ecological principles in pedagogy. By studying the processes and traditions of how science is carried out, ecologists can better direct scientific insight to address the world's most pressing environmental problems.https://doi.org/10.1002/ece3.10255biodiversity lossfood websparadigmphilosophy of sciencescientific methodscientific revolutions |
| spellingShingle | Craig A. Layman Andrew L. Rypel Beyond Kuhnian paradigms: Normal science and theory dependence in ecology Ecology and Evolution biodiversity loss food webs paradigm philosophy of science scientific method scientific revolutions |
| title | Beyond Kuhnian paradigms: Normal science and theory dependence in ecology |
| title_full | Beyond Kuhnian paradigms: Normal science and theory dependence in ecology |
| title_fullStr | Beyond Kuhnian paradigms: Normal science and theory dependence in ecology |
| title_full_unstemmed | Beyond Kuhnian paradigms: Normal science and theory dependence in ecology |
| title_short | Beyond Kuhnian paradigms: Normal science and theory dependence in ecology |
| title_sort | beyond kuhnian paradigms normal science and theory dependence in ecology |
| topic | biodiversity loss food webs paradigm philosophy of science scientific method scientific revolutions |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1002/ece3.10255 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT craigalayman beyondkuhnianparadigmsnormalscienceandtheorydependenceinecology AT andrewlrypel beyondkuhnianparadigmsnormalscienceandtheorydependenceinecology |