Why Isn’t There a Nobel Prize in Mathematics?

Many of us have wondered the answer to this question at some point in our lives. The contribution of mathematics to the cornerstones of science is undeniable. While this is the case Mathematics not included in Nobel Prizes Don’t you think it’s interesting?

About this subject There are some speculations. However, we need to state from the beginning that its accuracy is debated. Because some of these claims are very interesting indeed.

Some claims that it stemmed from the hostility between Swedish mathematician Mittag-Leffler and Alfred Nobel.

The Nobel Prize is a dream award for many scientists and is a Swedish chemist and inventor. It is Alfred Nobel’s legacy to the world. The first Nobel Prizes were awarded on December 10, 1901, on the fifth anniversary of Nobel’s death, to reward achievements in specific fields. These fields were physics, chemistry, medicine, literature and peace. A sixth category, the economics prize, was later added by the Bank of Sweden in 1969. If you pay attention, there is no mathematics among the categories.

According to a claim made on the subject, it is thought that Nobel’s hostility towards mathematicians began when he learned that his wife had a close relationship with Mittag-Leffler. But what weakens this claim is Nobel was never married. This scenario is more likely to happen with a lover or loved one.

The award areas determined by Alfred Nobel in his will may have been chosen based on their importance in his time.

The will of Alfred Nobel.

Nobel specifically aimed to reward work that would benefit humanity. Fields such as physics, chemistry, medicine and physiology were branches of science that directly affected human life and attracted attention at that time. In this sense, mathematics is as obvious as other sciences. does not interfere with human life It was seen as a branch of science.

Nobel was more interested in chemistry and physics He was an inventor and very familiar with mathematics. wasn’t. Therefore, the fact that he did not include the mathematics award in his will is another of the allegations.

It is stated that in his first and original will there was only one reward and that this reward was the Peace prize.

Some sources associate the reason why Nobel took this decision in his will with a newspaper report. 8 years before his death; In 1888, a newspaper mistakenly wrote “to explain the death of Nobel’s older brother, Ludvig Nobel.”The merchant of death is dead!“. This news was probably written referring to Alfred Nobel: “Albert Nobel, who became rich by methods that would kill people quickly, died yesterday!” It is said that this false news deeply affected Nobel.

It is thought that this news had a great impact on him when he was writing his will 7 years later. Nobel’s greatest wish““There should be absolutely no discrimination based on nationality when distributing awards.”was.

Actually the answer is very simple.

Although there are seemingly different fields among these fields, those who know Nobel closely will argue that these chosen fields suit his personality and worldview. Nobel, five different languages He was a person who could speak, was interested in literature and art, wrote poetry and read constantly.

Considering this, in giving awards Nobel’s personal interests and areas of study had a great impact. Nobel was a scientist who concentrated his work mostly on the fields of physics and chemistry, and therefore he decided to give awards in these two fields. He was also a lover of literature and added an award to express his love for the field of literature. The peace award reflected his pacifist and idealistic side.

Mathematics in his eyes It was an area that was more theoretical and had less potential to provide practical benefitsFor this reason, it was not included in the award categories.