Why are the most famous scientists physicists and not mathematicians?

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In summary, the reason why some mathematicians are less famous than some world famous scientists is because most people can relate to physics better than maths.
  • #1
alexmahone
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World famous scientists like Newton, Einstein, Rutherford, Hawking are all physicists. However mathematicians like Gauss, Euler, Leibniz, Descartes etc are much less famous.

Why is that? Is it because most people can relate to physics better than maths?
 
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  • #2
Alexmahone said:
World famous scientists like Newton, Einstein, Rutherford, Hawking are all physicists. However mathematicians like Gauss, Euler, Leibniz, Descartes etc are much less famous.

Why is that? Is it because most people can relate to physics better than maths?

1. Newton was also a mathematician.

2. Gauss, Euler and Descartes were also scientists.

3. Mathematicians are not scientists.

CB
 
  • #3
Alexmahone said:
World famous scientists like Newton, Einstein, Rutherford, Hawking are all physicists. However mathematicians like Gauss, Euler, Leibniz, Descartes etc are much less famous.

Why is that? Is it because most people can relate to physics better than maths?

Why are most famous people in the world celebrities?
 
  • #4
ThePerfectHacker said:
Why are most famous people in the world celebrities?

Because they're celebrities? What's your point?
 
  • #5
Alexmahone said:
Because they're celebrities? What's your point?

But why? Why is someone like the queen of England so famous? The queen of England is a parasite. She achieved nothing whatsoever in her life. Even dictators of the world had to do something, work hard, to get that position. The queen is the most parasitic person, no individual accomplishments at all. She was simply handed over that position as she was born into it. She is not a gifted person, she is not smart, she is not artistic. She achieved nothing. But why is she famous?

The point is that people choose who they like. How famous someone is is determined by what others think of him. The reason why scientists are not as well known as celebrities on television is because the masses prefer the actors over the scientists. That is it. However, on this forum we talk more often of the scientists, for us they are more famous, as we value them more.

Most people can at least see some value in science, much harder for them to appreciate mathematics. Thus, they value the scientists more.
 
  • #6
I think science is conceptually more appreciable than mathematics. It's easier for someone to appreciate the work of Einstein than it's to appreciate that of, say, Grothendieck. I know more maths than physics, but I've a more general grasp of what Einstein did than what Grothendieck did. I think it's also far easier to get curious about science than maths. Therefore scientists tend to be understandably more famous than mathematicians.
 

1. Why do physicists often receive more recognition and fame than mathematicians?

One possible reason is that the field of physics deals with tangible phenomena and real-world applications, making it more relatable and easier to understand for the general public. Math, on the other hand, can be abstract and theoretical, making it more challenging to grasp for those outside the field.

2. Are there any specific qualities or skills that make a physicist more likely to become famous?

While there is no one-size-fits-all answer, many famous physicists possess exceptional creativity, critical thinking skills, and the ability to think outside the box. They also often have a strong passion for their work and a relentless drive to push the boundaries of our understanding of the universe.

3. Is there a historical reason for the prevalence of physicists as the most famous scientists?

There are a few possible explanations. During the Scientific Revolution, there was a significant focus on experimental and empirical research, which aligns more with the field of physics. Additionally, many significant scientific breakthroughs, such as the theory of relativity and quantum mechanics, have come from physicists, further cementing their fame and reputation.

4. Are there any famous mathematicians who have achieved the same level of recognition as physicists?

While there may not be as many household names in mathematics as there are in physics, there are certainly renowned mathematicians who have made significant contributions to the field and achieved fame within academic circles. Some examples include Euclid, Pythagoras, Isaac Newton, and Alan Turing.

5. Can a mathematician become famous without being a physicist?

Yes, absolutely! There are many areas of mathematics that have nothing to do with physics, such as number theory, topology, and graph theory. Mathematicians can also gain recognition and fame through their contributions to other fields, such as computer science, economics, and cryptography.

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