Kuhn maintained that, contrary to popular belief, typical scientists are not objective and independent thinkers. Rather, they are conservative individuals who accept what they have been taught and apply their knowledge to solving the problems that their theories dictate. Most are, in essence, puzzle-solvers who aim to discover what they already know in advance. The same can be said of contractors - they are also conservative in their application of methodology. They are measured on their ability to implement existing methods as efficiently as possible.
Kuhn argued that a scientific revolution is a non cumulative developmental episode in which an older paradigm is replaced in whole or in part by an incompatible new one. Revolutions close with total victory for one of the two opposing camps.