THE PRINCE OF SERENDIP...was the sociologist, Robert Merton. He was, as well, a great discerner of the "unexpected functionalities" of "social pathology." Translation by example: he did some classic papers on how the Mafia crime syndicates provided required services that could not otherwise be legally obtained. This appreciation of the man and of his previously unpublished book on "serendipity" in science is from yesterday's Boston Globe.