Why the "NOBLE PRIZE" is not given to the Mathematicians ?

Question

NOBLE PRIZE

Answer 1

There are many stories. One of them states that Alfred Nobel harshly disliked a certain mathematician who could have been the first prize winner in mathematics. There are stories that the guy stole a woman away from Nobel ... but they're probably not true. Another possible reason is that there was already a well known prize in mathematics given by the rulers of Sweden, so there wasn't a need for another. It is also said that Nobel didn't think humanity benefitted from mathematics as much as the other sciences.

There is a very prestigious prize in mathematics though. Its called the Field's Medal.

Answer 2

Honestly, there are so many debates over the topic, as the previous answers suggest, so who cares? We stopped caring a while and now the noble prize is given in so many areas yet the Fields Medal is instantly recognized as mathematical. A single Fields Medal is award, not several. It's better for the science of mathematics to have its own award which sticks out and more easily ensures posterity rather than being tossed under the rubble of 'better' sciences like Physics and Biology in the Nobel field. Simply put there is much life's work and artistry to earn a Field's medal whereas a single great thoughy earns you a Nobel.

I'm all for rewarding the man with a body of work in math than throwing another award at a physicist with a new way of looking at lasers or a biologist who finds a way to grow bigger green beans through chemical enhancement.

Answer 3

Mathematicians could actually received the "Noble Peace Prize" if only they could related to a scientific method of approaching a particular subject of interest. Like how long would it take for the ozone layer to be obsolete. Then applying the science to save the atmosphere.

Answer 4

I have heard that it's because a lady he had the hots for in college eloped with a mathematician, but that could just be rumor.

In mathematics the equivalent of the Nobel Prize is the Fields Medal awarded by the University ot Toronto.

http://www.fields.utoronto.ca/aboutus/jcfields/fields_medal.html


Doug

Answer 5

It is given to mathemeticians, just not as a math prize. (Also it is Nobel, not Noble).

Anyway, John Nash, a mathmetician, won it for economics. He was they guy for the movie "A Beautiful Mind."

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Tony T's response below: I think that was Andrew Wiles, at Princeton. He solved the proof for Fermat's Last Theorem. Fermat was the french guy mentioned in the posting below. Yes it was big deal, but there is no Nobel Prize for it - I think Math has the Field Medal.

Answer 6

What is "Noble Prize" ?

If you mean "Nobel Prize", then I guess may be because mathematicians not considered 'noble' !

Answer 7

Currently Nobel prizes are offered only in the fields of literature, physics, chemistry, peace, economics, and physiology & medicine. Guaranteed any physicist is a mathematician first, but perhaps not vice versa.

See a great website covering this debate at
http://nobelprizes.com/nobel/why_no_math.html

Answer 8

there is not any Nobel Prize for mathematics. a worry-loose legend states that Nobel determined against a prize in mathematics because a lady - stated to be both his fiance, spouse, or mistress - rejected him for or cheated on him with a renowned mathematician, oftentimes claimed to be Gosta Mittag-Leffler. there is not any historic evidence to help the tale, and Nobel became by no ability married.

Answer 9

There are a lot of rumors about this...but most are considered to be apochryphal, if not outright false. The best explanantion I've heard is that Nobel did not consider math in its pure form to be an applicable art or science.

Answer 10

"Noble" prizes are given to dukes, earls, viscounts, and princes. Nobel prizes are given in various fields of applied intellectual endeavour.