Punishing crimes of the mind: Sanctions for scientific misconduct as a case for the cultural theory of punishment

Abstract

The present article is concerned with the symbolism of punishment, using sanctions for scientific misconduct as an exemplary case. By looking at a case not traditionally an object for criminology, it seeks to extend existing cultural theories of punishment to incorporate settings that are not defined by penal law but that nonetheless feature phenomena of deviance and punishment. The article outlines how sanctions for misconduct, much like state punishment, appeal to themes of sacred and evil, uncertainty and disorder. It argues that this appeal to the sacred is both symbolic and instrumental, in that it serves to create and legitimize a position of authority for the journals taking action against scientific misconduct, illustrating how symbolic aspects of punishment relate to aspects of power.