Conduct and Correctness in Mathematical Publishing

Abstract

Little publicity is given in mathematics to journal organization and maintaining correctness of the literature. However, worrisome policies of editorial handling and peer review are exercised in mathematical academia. They originate both from modern trends (like automatization) and from a traditionally and widely spread complacent and idle attitude in academic circuits. This article displays such policies on the basis of specific instances and the reaction these practices lead to when issues about correctness of published mathematics are raised. It is drawn on concrete cases, which are crucial to understanding the cause of problems, and hence also possible approaches to solutions.