How to Clean a CESSPOOL -- Scientific, that is

(In 1966, Alfred de Grazia, publisher of American
Behavioral Scientist magazine, wrote the following
in a chapter entitled, "Scientific Reception,"
in the book, "The Velikovsky Affair: The Warfare
of Science and Scientism.")


"It would be well to inquire whether existing institutions
have n inherent capacity for trying and sanctioning unprofessional
practices among professionals.

"Two types of problems occur: those of ethics and those of
non-rationality.

"Most contemporary scientists, and the public perhaps, believe
that scientific freedom is achieved when outside lay authorities
are forbidden to rule on questions of functional ethics and
scientific truth.

"Institutions are scorned. Legislative investigations are hateful.
The considerable powers of lawyers and medical practioners
for self-government are regarded as inappropriate to scientific
affairs.

"Is there no recourse for the scientist who has been damaged
by the means detailed in these papers?

"Perhaps Harvard University has within its authority the right
to nquire into the scientific behavior of its faculty. Its officers
might make a determination "on the merits" that one or more
members of the faculty were so irrelevant and destructive in their
scientific work as to violate plain standards of scientific
competence.

"They might as a result take remedial action, as, for example,
to require apologies, re-tests, re-examinations, discussion in open
forums, suspension, reprimand, resignation, or dismissal.

"Lacking any of these forms of action, can a university be said
to be responsible to its own and to the greater community
for the quality of the particular activities it performs in the name
of the community and of knowledge?"

~~~~~~~

De Grazia adds:

"If the public concern is present, what public machinery is to be
brought into play -- congressional investigations, a national science
baord to hear and investigate complaints, a congress of scientific
associations with such a judicial branch?

"Such questions warrant intensive study followed by new policies.
It is this writer's belief that independent hearing and reporting
mechanisms should be invented for use by associations and
by joint scientific-public-governmental organs.

"Legislative and executive machinery should be avoided as far
as possible, but quasi-judicial machinery encouraged.

"Scientists have on the whole tender sensitivities. A mild exposure
and embarrasment usually have great corrective value for them."


Ed Conrad
http://www.edconrad.com

laoc sa dlo sa naM

How to Clean a CESSPOOL

round up a bunch of ditto monkeys and give them a pack of straws.



Ed Conrad wrote:



(In 1966, Alfred de Grazia, publisher of American
Behavioral Scientist magazine, wrote the following
in a chapter entitled, "Scientific Reception,"
in the book, "The Velikovsky Affair: The Warfare
of Science and Scientism.")


"It would be well to inquire whether existing institutions
have n inherent capacity for trying and sanctioning unprofessional
practices among professionals.

"Two types of problems occur: those of ethics and those of
non-rationality.

"Most contemporary scientists, and the public perhaps, believe
that scientific freedom is achieved when outside lay authorities
are forbidden to rule on questions of functional ethics and
scientific truth.

"Institutions are scorned. Legislative investigations are hateful.
The considerable powers of lawyers and medical practioners
for self-government are regarded as inappropriate to scientific
affairs.

"Is there no recourse for the scientist who has been damaged
by the means detailed in these papers?

"Perhaps Harvard University has within its authority the right
to nquire into the scientific behavior of its faculty. Its officers
might make a determination "on the merits" that one or more
members of the faculty were so irrelevant and destructive in their
scientific work as to violate plain standards of scientific
competence.

"They might as a result take remedial action, as, for example,
to require apologies, re-tests, re-examinations, discussion in open
forums, suspension, reprimand, resignation, or dismissal.

"Lacking any of these forms of action, can a university be said
to be responsible to its own and to the greater community
for the quality of the particular activities it performs in the name
of the community and of knowledge?"


~~~~~~~


De Grazia adds:

"If the public concern is present, what public machinery is to be
brought into play -- congressional investigations, a national science
baord to hear and investigate complaints, a congress of scientific
associations with such a judicial branch?

"Such questions warrant intensive study followed by new policies.
It is this writer's belief that independent hearing and reporting
mechanisms should be invented for use by associations and
by joint scientific-public-governmental organs.

"Legislative and executive machinery should be avoided as far
as possible, but quasi-judicial machinery encouraged.

"Scientists have on the whole tender sensitivities. A mild exposure
and embarrasment usually have great corrective value for them."


Ed Conrad

http://www.edconrad.com


laoc sa dlo sa naM