Publish and Perish: A Note on a Collapsing Academic Authorship

Abstract

This chapter argues that conscientious authorship is fundamental to academic culture. By going public in words, one demands recognition for the merits of one’s research and accepts being the legitimate target for justified criticisms. The writing of a scientific text is thus an intellectually and morally committing undertaking. However, there are signs to indicate that this traditional view of science is no longer self-evident. This present chapter expresses concern over the threat to intellectual standards that is represented by a growing acceptance of phenomena such as collective authorship, honorary or gift authorship, ghostwriting and commercially inspired subterfuge and deviousness, most spectacularly exemplified by phony authorships in the trials of new drugs. It is suggested that a widespread and complacent tolerance for a certain amount of phony authorship in every corner of the medical world contributes to making it tempting for the industry to put this kind of deviance into systematic use for commercial gain.