Some of the "classical cases" of Kuhnian paradigm shifts in science are:
* 1543 - The transition in [[cosmology]] from a [[Geocentric model|Ptolemaic cosmology]] to a [[Copernican heliocentrism|Copernican]] one.
* The transition in [[optics]] from [[geometrical optics]] to [[physical optics]].
* 1687 - The transition in [[mechanics]] from [[Aristotelian mechanics]] to [[classical mechanics]].
* The acceptance of the theory of [[biogenesis]], that [[omne vivum ex ovo|all life comes from life]], as opposed to the theory of [[spontaneous generation]], which began in the 17th century and was not complete until the 19th century with [[Louis Pasteur]].
* 1543 - The acceptance of the work of [[Andreas Vesalius]], whose work ''[[De humani corporis fabrica]]'' corrected the numerous errors in the previously-held system created by [[Galen]].
* The transition between the worldview of [[Newtonian physics]] and the [[Albert Einstein|Einsteinian]] [[Theory of relativity|relativistic]] worldview.
* 1905 - The development of [[quantum mechanics]], which replaced [[classical mechanics]] at microscopic scales.
* 1905 - The transition from the [[luminiferous aether]] present in [[space]] to [[electromagnetic radiation]] in [[spacetime]].
* 1912 - The acceptance of [[plate tectonics]] as the explanation for large-scale geologic changes.
* The development of [[absolute dating]].
* 1783 - The acceptance of [[Lavoisier]]'s theory of chemical reactions and combustion in place of [[phlogiston theory]], known as the [[Chemical Revolution]].
* 1866 - The acceptance of [[Mendelian inheritance]], as opposed to [[pangenesis]] in the early 20th century
