Meaning: Thomas Kuhn, an American physicist, historian, and philosopher of science, made this statement in his influential book "The Structure of Scientific Revolutions," which was first published in 1962. In this book, Kuhn introduced the concept of scientific revolutions and paradigm shifts, challenging the traditional view of scientific progress as a steady accumulation of knowledge. The quote you provided encapsulates one of Kuhn's key ideas about the role of research scientists in the scientific community, particularly in the context of normal science.

In the quote, Kuhn contrasts the roles of research scientists as "innovators" and "solvers of puzzles," suggesting that under normal conditions, they are more inclined to be the latter. By referring to research scientists as "solvers of puzzles," Kuhn implies that their primary task is to address specific scientific problems within the existing scientific framework or tradition. This aligns with the concept of normal science, which Kuhn defines as the everyday, puzzle-solving work conducted within a well-established scientific paradigm.

Kuhn's characterization of research scientists as puzzle solvers within the existing scientific tradition reflects his broader thesis about the nature of scientific inquiry. He argues that normal science operates within a particular paradigm, which encompasses the dominant theories, methods, and assumptions accepted by the scientific community at a given time. Within this paradigm, scientists engage in research activities aimed at addressing specific puzzles or anomalies that arise within the framework of existing knowledge.

Furthermore, Kuhn suggests that the puzzles that research scientists focus on are those that they believe can be both stated and solved within the existing scientific tradition. This highlights the constraints and expectations that shape the work of scientists operating within a specific paradigm. It implies that research questions and problems are often framed in a way that aligns with the established theories and methodologies of the prevailing scientific framework. Scientists are encouraged to work within the boundaries set by the existing paradigm, seeking solutions that are consistent with the accepted scientific principles and practices of their field.

The quote also alludes to the notion that research scientists, in their capacity as puzzle solvers, are not typically positioned as radical innovators within the context of normal science. Kuhn's characterization underscores the conservative nature of normal scientific practice, where the emphasis is on incremental progress and refinement of existing knowledge rather than revolutionary change. This aligns with Kuhn's broader argument that scientific development is punctuated by periods of normal science, during which researchers operate within established paradigms, and revolutionary moments marked by paradigm shifts and scientific revolutions.

In summary, Thomas Kuhn's quote captures his perspective on the role of research scientists within the framework of normal science. It reflects his view that scientists, under normal conditions, are primarily engaged in the task of solving puzzles within the existing scientific tradition, operating within the constraints and expectations of established paradigms. This quote serves as a key insight into Kuhn's influential ideas about the nature of scientific inquiry and the dynamics of scientific change, as presented in "The Structure of Scientific Revolutions."