The Greek god Hermes (Roman,
Mercury) is best known as the Messenger of the Gods. That's his usual
presentation as in the National Gallery and elsewhere But Hermes is
also the god of science and exploration and, simultaneously, he is
the god of trickery and theft and discovery. In this juxtaposition,
the Greeks were on to something we have forgotten: the guide is the
one who can mislead in that he knows the right way and, therefore,
he also knows the wrong way. The con artist is one who gains the confidence
of his followers and, only then, does he take advantage of their trust
in him; were he not trusted and esteemed, he could not abuse.
Hermes is a perfect symbol
for Scifraud, this database on fraud in science. This database focuses
on misdeeds and fakery in the conduct of science. Scientists are not
supposed to be dishonest or fraudulent but, as so many of these annotations
show, fraud is hardly unknown or novel among scientists. Indeed, fraud
and fakery are as old as science itself and those who lead and guide
in science have mislead and chosen to mislead in several fascinating
cases.
This Web site is dedicated
to the understanding of trickery and chicane in the conduct of science.
And those of us who would understand the role of trickster have these
pages to help them. Here are examples galore of misconduct in science.
It is certainly not the stuff one tells children but it is eye-opening
to those who want to understand the pathways to truth. Frankly, the
pathways to insight are tricky.
May these illustrations
all be useful and may you enjoy the tricks.
