German physicist Max Planck, a foundational figure in quantum mechanics and Nobel Prize winner in 1918, has recently become the subject of controversy due to the retraction of two of his papers from the 1940s. The journal involved, Naturwissenschaften, now known as The Science of Nature, has removed these papers entirely, leaving only a note indicating they were withdrawn due to an “article violation.” This action has puzzled historians and raised questions about the implications of modern publishing practices on historical scientific works.
Discovery and Investigation
The retraction was first noted by physics historian Yves Gingras from the University of Quebec in Montreal, who found Planck’s name on a list of Nobel laureates with retracted papers. Partnering with fellow historian Mahdi Khelfaoui, they investigated the circumstances surrounding the retractions, which they outlined in a preprint on the physics arXiv.
Editorial Confusion
Current editor-in-chief Suzanne Scarlata expressed surprise at the retraction, stating she was unaware of it until contacted for comment. She speculated that the issue might stem from an algorithmic error, suggesting the retraction was a mistake that should be corrected. The retractions were attributed to copyright violations, despite the papers themselves being scientifically sound.
Context of the Retractions
Gingras and Khelfaoui believe the retractions may have resulted from a misunderstanding of historical publication practices. The papers in question, which are philosophical reflections on scientific knowledge, were published during a time when norms around publication were significantly different. The first paper, published in 1942, had been disseminated in multiple formats, while the second, from 1940, had not been reprinted elsewhere. They suspect that confusion arose due to the presence of similar titles in the journal.
Implications for Historical Scholarship
The incident raises critical questions about how contemporary standards regarding duplication and self-plagiarism apply to historical works. The authors argue that applying modern criteria retroactively can distort the historical record. With both papers now in the public domain, the removal from the journal’s database is seen as problematic for scholarly access and integrity. Gingras emphasized the need to restore these works, stating, “Intellectually, it’s not acceptable.” The publisher, Springer Nature, has not provided detailed comments on the matter, citing confidentiality regarding specific retractions.
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