Study Guide: Chapter 8 — The Response to Crisis

Core Concept

Anomalies never refute alone: paradigms are abandoned only when a rival exists. Theory choice is triadic — paradigm vs paradigm vs nature. Crisis behavior: redoubled effort, defections, philosophical debate, wild speculation from the least-invested.

Key Terms

Paradigm comparison · rule-loosening · extraordinary science · rejection-with-replacement

Case Summary

Generations rationally patched Ptolemy; Copernicus went to first principles. Einstein: "the ground pulled out from under one" — physics fled to philosophy, then retooled.

Application Checklist

• [ ] Convert one complaint ("X is broken") into a comparison ("Y solves what breaks")
• [ ] Build the alternative before campaigning against the incumbent
• [ ] Source wild options from the least legacy-invested people

Self-Test

1. Why is "reject without replacement" rejecting science itself?
2. Popper vs Kuhn on anomaly-as-refutation?
3. The three typical responses to deep crisis?