ENG HW

One of the more significant claims that emerges in Casti’s article is the assertion, by Thomas Kuhn, that “There is no standard higher than the assent of the relevant community. The transfer of allegiance from one paradigm to another is a conversion experience that cannot be forced” (40-1). This claim about the nature of paradigms, and as part of Casti’s larger discussions, asserts that science, and scientific discovery, are shaped and limited by a complex web of social interactions. That is to say, science is shaped by the beliefs (or paradigms) of scientists, and its reception shaped by the beliefs of the public. In a two-page “writing to learn” response paper, consider the implications of this social component of science and scientific discovery. Why is this important? What are the consequences? What complications does this introduce? How do you see this discussion relating to the other issues that Casti addresses in this article, and the issues we’ve discussed in class?

Please submit your work as a blog post on Expressions, and submit the url on Blackboard.