T. S. Kuhn's theories and mathematics: A discussion paper on the 'new historiography' of mathematics

A discussion of the applicability of the concepts of T. S. Kuhn's theory of scientific revolutions, stimulated by the statement by M. J. Crowe of ten “laws” concerning change in the history of mathematics. The concepts “revolution” and “crisis” are rejected, while the concepts centering around the sociology of the scientific community are accepted for systematic use in historiography of mathematics. This is supplemented by the consideration of extra-mathematical influences. Finally the “laws” of Crowe are shown to be explainable with those concepts.