Final answer:
The theory describing new knowledge contradicting old knowledge is Thomas Kuhn's theory of scientific revolutions, which involves paradigm shifts where old theories are replaced by new ones due to new evidence.
Step-by-step explanation:
The phenomenon where new knowledge contradicts previously held knowledge is well-described by Thomas Kuhn's theory of scientific revolutions. Kuhn suggested that scientific advancement is not a straightforward process of accumulation but happens in leaps and bounds through paradigm shifts. These paradigm shifts occur when existing theories do not correspond with new empirical evidence, leading to a period of scientific uncertainty and eventually a new consensus around a different theory.
As students progress in their education, especially in high schools and colleges, they are encouraged to develop critical thinking skills that allow them to understand the dynamic and evolving nature of scientific knowledge. Part of the scientific process involves the refinement or replacement of theories and explanations to better match observable data, which is reflected in the learning objectives like those found in AP course descriptions, indicating that students should be able to articulate the reasons behind these scientific changes.
This underscores the importance of students understanding the nature of scientific inquiry, the role of hypotheses, theories, and laws, and why they must be ready to adapt their understanding in light of new evidence, such as the case with the peppered moth and the observations that led to reevaluation of selection processes.