The Nobel Prizes – Time for a rethink?
A lifetime with Nobel
A few months ago we had the news from the Nobel Committees in Stockholm and Oslo. This evokes a number of sentimental memories for me. The Nobel Prizes were very much part of my early life in Sweden. My father was a doctor and some of his friends were members of the Nobel Assembly, the group of 50 scientists at the Karolinska Institutet, which selects the medical Nobel Prize winners.
After a dinner party at home, the men would often discuss different medical discoveries. Was it prize-worthy? Who were the main contributors? Were they too many? A science and medicine Nobel Prize could only be shared by three individuals
The Nobel banquets and lectures were on the tenth of December each year, Alfred Nobel’s birthday. They were brilliant white tie parties at the Stockholm City Hall. Speeches, music, fanfares, a sumptuous banquet followed by dancing. Students were invited to mingle with the Nobel laureates and my friends and I were usually there. In 1977, I became a professor at the Institute and a member of the Nobel Assembly.
Having doubts
It has all been very interesting and good fun. However, with the perspective of old age, I find that I am having doubts whether the Nobel Prizes still serve the purpose that Alfred Nobel intended with his will, written in 1895.
Nobel was a chemist and engineer by training. He wanted to improve the conditions for top scientists. For instance, his friend Madame Curie struggled financially and did not have a proper laboratory. Today the top scientists are often well supported by grants and have large laboratories. Many don’t need more money.
In Nobel’s time most scientists worked alone, or in small groups. It was therefore possible to identify the main contributor to a discovery. Today most discoveries are made by teams. This is good. As the Nobel Prize only can be given to a maximum of three people this means that some of the best discoveries can now not be rewarded.
The prestige of the Nobel Prizes distorts the collaborative culture in science. I have observed that some top scientists may have elected to withdraw from collaboration as it might dilute their position as potential candidates for a Nobel Prize.
The Nobel Prize selections for literature, peace and economics have always been disputed, as they are subjective rather than objective. It is a matter of taste and preference. The selection process becomes difficult and the outcome often controversial, which is not what Nobel intended.
I wonder what Alfred Nobel would make of the situation we are in now? Ragnar Sohlman was a young chemical engineer working with Nobel in the years before he died. He became Alfred Nobel’s executor and later wrote a book about Alfred Nobel and his legacy. From this book it is possible to guess his thoughts.
Happy with his legacy?
I think that in many respects he would be very happy with his legacy. His prize is without a doubt the top international prize in science, literature and peace. However, he may well make the same observations that I have outlined above and decide to modify his will as follows:
The Nobel Prizes would no longer given to the top scientists and established writers. They are now well supported and rewarded. It is also increasingly difficult to find just three scientists behind a new discovery or development.
The Nobel foundation should instead find ways of supporting young scientists in physics, chemistry, medicine and emerging subjects such as artificial intelligence and computer science with generous Nobel grants. Rather than a peace prize there would be an annual Nobel award for civil courage in support of good human values.
The awards should be made on Alfred Nobel’s birthday as before but the old-fashioned, elitist process modernised.
My old Swedish friends will probably think that I have gone mad to question the Nobel Prizes. They may be right, but it is rather enjoyable to be an outrageous old man!
Please give me your thoughts!
Editor’s note: We are publishing this as an opinion piece and are open to your views. You can contact us at editor@westenglandbylines.co.uk
