Are the Nobel &, Templeton prizes a form of applause?
Yes, these somewhat rare prizes (in comparison to the number of scientists making achievements each year) certainly are a form of applause, but more importantly, a way of helping to fund additional research by those making the greatest achievements.
I certainly do not mean to convey that applause is unheard of in the scientific disciplines. At scientific conventions, we certainly applause after a presentation. Furthermore, certain awards are sometimes given out, but in comparison to religious conventions, fanfare is noticeably lacking. In writing a thesis or dissertation or articles for publication, any attempt at applauding others invariably gets excised from the document. It is considered a waste of valuable space. Publication space equates with money, and there is no interest in filling up the space with flowery words for others. That's just the way it is.
In religious conventions, it seems that they all refer to each other as "Dr. so-and-so" and give all manner of accolades to others. In science, everyone, students and professors alike, are on a first name basis and the applause aspect of relationship takes a back seat. Often at a scientific convention, nobody knows who has already earned a Ph.D. and who has not. Even in publications, there are no titles associated with our names. We all are just interested in the work we each do and who might have some good ideas that would help us in the next discovery.
Peace be with you. David Miller.
P.S. It is interesting that the Templeton prize originated in religion and was expanded to include science. Alfred Nobel, however, was indeed a scientist, unlike John Templeton. Yet the Nobel prize was created by a will, after the man's death.
---------- "Let your speech be always with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer every man." (Colossians 4:6) http://www.InnGlory.org
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