| Mad Scientist | Action |
|---|---|
| 10 | Doing anything unrelated to your research |
| 9 | Defining relationships on any basis other than a person's use to your research |
| 8 | Valuing a non-scientist's opinion |
| 7 | Allowing someone to discount your research or chosen field |
| 6 | Allowing emotions or subjective opinions to alter your research methods |
| 5 | Discounting a possibility without checking it |
| 4 | Failing to pursue an experiment |
| 3 | Relying on a thesis you have not personally verified |
| 2 | Considering anything to be truly 'complete' |
| 1 | Allowing data to be destroyed |
The Mad Scientist Path of Morality focuses on a scientist's dedication to science, to the exclusion of all else. Nothing is as important as gathering data and furthering your mastery of your chosen field. A Mad Scientist will only have 'friends' who are scientists in similar fields, as they may (sometimes) be more useful as colleagues than as test subjects.
The worldview of the Mad Scientist is marked by unquestioning belief in the paramount importance of science, and disdain for non-scientists. Society should be organized around science, with the vast majority of people (humans, monsters, Great Old Ones, and everything else) relegated to test subjects (they're worthless dross anyway). All other considerations are meaningless, and all other persons are irrelevant save as they can benefit science - be it as a test subject, or as potential lab assistants (or both). There are no limits to what science can accomplish, given adequate time and resources. Science will save the world (or at least that portion worth saving, which means scientists). Engineers are inferior to scientists, mechanics are inferior to engineers, those lacking skills useful in scientific research are entirely lacking in value. The people should believe what you tell them to believe, and your peers (those contentious idiots) should too.
A Mad Scientist recognizes that there is no end to his studies. It is possible to be the leading expert in your field, but impossible to know everything about that field. Thus, in order to remain at the peak, you must constantly research new data and monitor colleagues' work for useful tidbits of data. All scientific fields are intertwined to some extent, so no venue should be ignored.
Such extreme focus on one field does engender arrogance. It is extremely dangerous to insult the field a Mad Scientist has chosen to study, as they will often try to prove that their field is above reproach. Such proofs will depend on the scientist's chosen field, and may be quite lethal. It is important to remember that while the Mad Scientist may profess to follow a code of ethics, this is a convenient fiction.
A Mad Scientist cares little for the opinions of others. Non-scientists have neither the dedication nor the education to have informed opinions. Even the opinions of other scientists are of questionable value; they are certainly more educated about how the world works, but unless they are in the same field, they simply do not see the world in the same way.
Information is vitally important. Data destruction is incomprehensible. Moreover, there is no such thing as ‘tainted’ data. All information is useful, regardless of the source. To completely discount information from any source, be it a questionable journal or one’s greatest enemy, is foolish, and may well lead to faulty conclusions. At the same time, reliability is important, so it is vital to verify any data received, even if it comes from a source you trust implicitly.
Mercy and compassion are not considerations for a Mad Scientist. In the pursuit of knowledge, there are few other considerations, even to the point that you won't hesitate to risk your own life when necessary. Nor is consent a factor in your experiments. After all, it's for the good of science …
10: Doing anything unrelated to your research
Anything and everything that is not directly associated with your research or your ability to conduct research is irrelevant. You only pursue enemies if they directly interfere with your work and you know where they are. You only eat when absolutely necessary, and you seldom bathe.
9: Defining relationships on any basis other than a person's use to your research
People are only important as far as they are useful to your research. Enemies are those who threaten your research time, 'friends' are those who assist your research from a contributory standpoint. Others are research subjects, and have little to offer beyond their minds and bodies – though some may have the potential to become scientists.
8: Valuing a non-scientist's opinion
What do they know? They aren't scientists. They haven't dedicated years of their lives to scientific understanding. Their opinions couldn't possibly be as well-informed as your own.
7: Allowing someone to discount your research or chosen field
Only a fool would find fault with science, especially the field you have deemed worthy of becoming your life's work. Insults against your field must be answered. Professional pride will accept no less.
6: Allowing emotions or subjective opinions to alter your research methods
Prejudging a conclusion is a fast track to false data. The scientist can be hopeful, but must never allow his hopes to color how he goes about collecting or testing data. Friendship, compassion, empathy: Such things could easily compromise your methodology, forcing you to begin again. Wasted time is intolerable.
5: Discounting a possibility without checking it
Information can come from the strangest places. Sometimes even the most unlikely possibility is the correct one, and all possibilities should be checked. If you already have a fully workable thesis, you can put other possibilities aside, but only long enough to test that thesis.
4: Failing to pursue an experiment
There are very few grounds on which a scientist can fail to follow through on a study. Typically, you can only justify putting the research off until you have the necessary equipment, and even then you can usually improvise basic tests. Any research subject will do. Anyone finding themselves in your care is likely to regret it.
3: Relying on a thesis you have not personally verified
The only way to verify a thesis is to test it. Even if proposed by a scientist who is reputable and known for accurate judgment, you must always confirm for yourself that their theses are reliable, especially if you plan to build on them.
2: Considering anything to be truly 'complete'
There is no such thing as perfection. Nothing is ever truly complete. Even should you live thousands of years, you could never hope to know everything. Thus, further testing is always needed.
1: Allowing data to be destroyed
Never destroy something that provides you with data. Never cut yourself off from information. A highly specialized lab, or a rare sample of a creature relevant to your studies are examples of proper sources of data. These must be protected to the best of your ability.
