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Article:Science and society, or research institution and journal: A historical retrospection (M. Akamatsu, et al.)−63−Synthesiology - English edition Vol.1 No.1 (2008) Bacon belonged, was greatly influenced by him. Although the Royal Society was “royal” because it was chartered by the King, it did not receive financial sponsorship. It was “private” in the sense that it was operated by financial support of the membership. On the other hand, Académie Royale des Sciences of Paris succeeded in obtaining support from Louis XIV, and became the world’s first national research institute where researchers were paid salaries from the royal treasury to carry on their researches.It was necessary to accumulate scientific discoveries and inventions to seek principles of natural science, and for accumulating scientific discoveries and inventions, a research institution, where accumulation of knowledge was done from a standpoint that scientific findings were equal, was more appropriate than a university, which is a place of authoritarianism (although in reality power play also occurs in society).4 Publication of academic journalThe societies and academies published journals for their members. They became academic journals to publish the results of natural science studies. The oldest journal which continues to this day is Philosophical Transactions of Royal Society of London (1665-) (Figure 2). Henry Oldenburg, secretary of the Royal Society established in 1662, started this journal as voluntary activity.Oldenburg wrote why he decided to publish the journal in the introduction of the first issue.The Introduction.Whereas there is nothing more necessary for promoting the improvement of Philosophical Matters, than the communicating of such, as apply their Studies and Endeavours that way, such things as are discovered or put in practise by others; it is therefore thought fit to employ the Press, as the most proper way to gratifie those, whose engagement in such Studies, and delight in the advancement of Learning and profitable Discoveries, doth entitle them to the knowledge of what this Kingdom, or other parts of the World, do, from time to time, afford, as well of the progress of the Studies, Labours, and attempts of the Curious and learned in things of this kind, as of their compleat Discoveries and performances: To the end, that such Productions being clearly and truly communicated, desires after solid and usefull knowledge may be further entertained, ingenious Endeavours and Undertakings cherished, and those, addicted to and conversant in such matters, may be invited and encouraged to search, try, and find out new things, impart their knowledge to one another, and contribute what they can to the Grand design of improving Natural knowledge, and perfecting all Philosophical Arts, and Sciences. All for the Glory of God, the Honour and Advantage of these Kingdoms, and the Universal Good of Mankind.Oldenburg stated that complete understanding of natural science can be achieved by collecting scientific knowledge (discoveries and ideas) by scientists and geniuses around the world using the magazine medium, and the scientific knowledge contributes to the state and brings prosperity. The journal was published to put into practice Bacon’s empiricism or the attempt to understand a common principle through accumulation of evidences. After Gutenberg invented the printing technology in the 15th century, book became the medium for communicating scientific knowledge by the 17th century. On the other hand, magazine as communication medium began with Journal des Savants, an information magazine for publication of books published in Paris in the 17th century. Oldenburg thought, instead of books that were complete in one volume, the printed medium of magazine, which is a regular collection of various findings, was the most appropriate for accumulating research results of scientists working around the world.5 Peer review system and originalityThe current peer review system to determine the eligibility of placement of article in academic journal was a system adopted by the Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society. Although Oldenburg selected articles that might be interesting to the members, the article had to be approved Fig. 1 Activities by members of Académie Royale des Sciences in Paris.The figure on top shows members doing research in the royal library, and bottom figure shows experiments in the laboratory. From Macmillan Album of Science (Hara Shobo) [14].

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