[Taxacom] suppression in science

[Richard Jensen]

John,

I do not believe the situation you describe is an act of suppression, in
the usual meaning of the word (to inhibit, keep secret, or prevent the use
or revelation of).  When you make the choice, you are not preventing anyone
else from making the alternative choice.  The fact that you, yourself, may
use both alternatives is evidence that you are not trying to prevent anyone
else making the same choice.

I don't disagree with you that suppression has, and still does, occur in
science - just that your example is not an act of suppression.

Cheers,

Dick

On Wed, Nov 29, 2017 at 9:25 AM, John Grehan <calabar.john at gmail.com> wrote:

> In response to my earlier comment about suppression of works I received an
> off list response asserting that I was referring to a particular group of
> "thieves". So I would state here that my comments were about the fact of
> suppression as part of science. It was not to suggest any position as to
> right or wrong of such suppression.  Perhaps my comment about it
> suppression becoming 'respectable' would have a negative inference about
> suppression. As far as I am concerned, it is a case by case issue.
> Naturally in the instance that affects my work I am in disagreement with
> the suppression while others find it fully justified.
>
> On a taxonomic level I have the situation over whether the ending of
> species names follow gender. In some major works they do not. In some cases
> I follow that, in other cases I do not (so I guess I am inconsistent and
> unscientific). In either case I am suppressing one of the alternatives.
>
> John Grehan
>
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-- 
Richard Jensen, Professor Emeritus
Department of Biology
Saint Mary's College
Notre Dame, IN 46556