Thomas Kuhn argued that scientific progress doesn't occur through steady accumulation of knowledge, but through 'paradigm shifts'—revolutionary changes where old theoretical frameworks are replaced entirely. During 'normal science,' researchers work within accepted paradigms, solving puzzles. But when enough anomalies accumulate—observations that don't fit the framework—a crisis develops, eventually resolved by a new paradigm that reinterprets previous data.
It can be inferred from the text that
scientific knowledge develops in a perfectly linear fashion
anomalies in scientific data are always immediately resolved
changes in scientific thinking may involve reinterpretation of previously known facts
Thomas Kuhn believed paradigm shifts happen frequently in science
Correct Answer: C
Choice C is the best answer. New paradigms "reinterpret previous data."
- Context clues: A new paradigm "reinterprets previous data"—the same observations, new understanding.
- Meaning: Scientific change involves seeing old facts in new frameworks.
- Verify: Paradigm shifts don't add new data but change how existing data is understood.
💡 Strategy: When the passage explicitly states a mechanism (reinterpretation), that's a strong basis for inference.
Choice A is incorrect because Kuhn argues against steady accumulation in favor of revolutionary shifts. Choice B is incorrect because anomalies "accumulate" until crisis develops. Choice D is incorrect because shifts happen only after extensive anomaly accumulation and crisis.