Thomas S. Kuhn was an American philosopher of science, best known for his influential book, "The Structure of Scientific Revolutions," published in 1962. In this work, he introduced the concept of paradigm shifts, which describes how scientific progress occurs not gradually, but through revolutionary changes in understanding. Kuhn argued that scientists operate within frameworks or paradigms that shape their research and interpretations. Kuhn's ideas challenged the traditional view of science as a steady accumulation of knowledge. He suggested that periods of normal science are often disrupted by crises, leading to the adoption of new paradigms. His work has had a lasting impact on the philosophy of science and influenced various fields, including sociology and history.