Telegrams and paradigms

on Cold War geopolitics and the structure of scientific revolutions

George Reisch

pp. 23-53

in: Elena Aronova, Simone Turchetti (eds), Science studies during the Cold War and beyond, Basingstoke, Palgrave Macmillan, 2016

Abstract

This chapter focuses on some of the key contextual elements that informed the writing of Kuhn's masterpiece, reflecting especially on the connections with ideologue and diplomat George Frost Kennan. In this way it aims to cast new light on Kuhn's work examining its Cold War legacy. The two were both familiar with the Cold War science administrator James Conant and shared with him an interest in examining the problem of "incommensurability." While for Kuhn the problem was, famously, one regarding the theory, foundation, and history of science, Kennan sought to apply it to the problem of understanding the Soviet mindset and the incompatibility of socialist and capitalist systems. The chapter thus concludes recalling the importance of the anti-communist milieu in which Kuhn forged his novel theory about scientific change.

Cited authors

Conant James