A common view of the history of science is that it progressed through a series of revolutions, in which old theories were replaced by new ones that better explained the natural world. For instance, the Copernican revolution overturned the geocentric model of the universe, and the Darwinian revolution replaced the creationist account of life. These revolutions were driven by the creativity of visionary scientists and by empirical evidence that contradicted the prevailing theories.

Question

Text 2
In his 2012 book, historian Hasok Chang argues that the history of science is neither simple nor neat. Using the example of the chemical revolution, he contends that scientific revolutions are often exaggerated or mythologized, and that old theories do not always disappear or become irrelevant. Instead, he shows that there are often multiple, coexisting, and complementary ways of understanding the same phenomena, and that scientific knowledge is enriched by this pluralism and diversity. He also emphasizes the role of social and cultural factors in shaping scientific practice and change.
Based on the texts, how would Chang (Text 2) most likely respond to the “common view” presented in Text 1?
Choose 1 answer:
Choose 1 answer:
(Choice A) By accepting the notion of scientific revolutions but claiming that they are caused by social and cultural factors rather than the work of visionary scientists
A
By accepting the notion of scientific revolutions but claiming that they are caused by social and cultural factors rather than the work of visionary scientists
(Choice B) By rejecting the notion of scientific revolutions altogether and proposing that science evolves through gradual and continuous changes
B
By rejecting the notion of scientific revolutions altogether and proposing that science evolves through gradual and continuous changes
(Choice C) By modifying the concept of scientific revolutions to account for the persistence and diversity of alternative theories
C
By modifying the concept of scientific revolutions to account for the persistence and diversity of alternative theories
(Choice D) By admitting that some scientific revolutions were indeed radical and transformative but claiming that they are rare and exceptional cases
D
By admitting that some scientific revolutions were indeed radical and transformative but claiming that they are rare and exceptional cases

Answer 1

The best choice based on Chang's perspective in Text 2 is:

(Choice C) By modifying the concept of scientific revolutions to account for the persistence and diversity of alternative theories.

This choice aligns with Chang's argument that old theories often do not disappear and that there is a richness in the coexistence of multiple understandings within scientific discourse.