Parameters of Scientific Misconduct and Corrective Measures Necessary

Abstract

Even the greatest scientist of all time was not above indulging in the nefarious practice of scientific misconduct! Yes, it is true that Isaac Newton, as President of the Royal Society, appointed a committee to investigate who discovered calculus first, himself or Gottfried Wilhelm Leibniz. The committee, known as the “Committee on the Calculus Controversy,” was formed in 1712! And, yes, Newton did chair this committee himself, which has been widely criticized as a conflict of interest and a flawed process. The committee’s report, published in 1713, unsurprisingly concluded that Newton was the first to develop calculus, despite Leibniz’s earlier publication on the subject. This decision was seen as biased and unfair by many, including Leibniz himself. This episode is often cited as an example of scientific misconduct and has been widely debated by historians and scholars. While Newton’s contributions to calculus are undeniable, the circumstances surrounding the committee’s decision have tarnished his reputation and raised questions about the integrity of the scientific process. This was the earliest instance of established scientific misconduct I was able to uncover in my research. And what is more, the Royal Society, Britain’s premier scientific body, has steadfastly refused to acknowledge this malfeasance and effect a corrigendum.