Department of Sociology and Social Research, University of Trento, Trento, Italy.
PLoS One. 2019 Oct 8;14(10):e0223505. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0223505. eCollection 2019.
The paper presents the results of a quantitative analysis of speeches by Nobel laureates in the sciences (Physics, Chemistry, Medicine) at the Prize gala dinner throughout the whole history of the Prize, 1901-2018. The results outline key themes and historical trends. A dominant theme, common to most speeches, is the exaltation of science as a profession by the laureate. Since the 1970s, especially in chemistry, this element becomes more domain-specific and less related to science in general. One could speculate whether this happens chiefly in chemistry because its area of activity has been perceived to be at risk of erosion from competing fields (e.g. physics, biology). Over time, speeches become more technical, less ceremonial and more lecture-oriented. Emphasis on broad, beneficial impact of science for humanity and mankind (as emphasised in Nobel's will) is more present in laureates' speeches during the first half of the XXth century, while its relevance clearly declines during the last decades. Politics and its relationship with science is also a relevant topic in Nobel speeches. Particularly between the two World Wars, science is seen as terrain where nationalistic stances and fights among nations could actually find a context for peaceful competition and even cooperation.
本文呈现了对诺贝尔科学奖（物理学、化学、医学）得主在整个诺贝尔奖历史上（1901-2018 年）在颁奖典礼晚宴上的演讲进行定量分析的结果。这些结果概述了主要主题和历史趋势。一个主导主题是，大多数演讲都将科学作为一种职业加以赞扬。自 20 世纪 70 年代以来，尤其是在化学领域，这一元素变得更加特定于领域，与一般科学的关系较少。人们可能会猜测，这种情况主要是否发生在化学领域，因为其活动领域被认为面临来自竞争领域（如物理、生物）侵蚀的风险。随着时间的推移，演讲变得更加技术性，仪式性更少，讲座式倾向更强。强调科学对人类和全人类的广泛有益影响（如诺贝尔遗嘱中所强调的）在 20 世纪上半叶的得主演讲中更为突出，而在过去几十年中，其相关性明显下降。政治及其与科学的关系也是诺贝尔演讲中的一个相关主题。特别是在两次世界大战之间，科学被视为一个领域，民族主义立场和国家之间的斗争实际上可以在那里找到和平竞争甚至合作的背景。
