Can I Claim My Dying Grandfather's Nobel Prize-Worthy Discovery as My Own?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the ethical and procedural implications of claiming a discovery, particularly in the context of a Nobel Prize, when the original discoverer is unable to claim it themselves. Participants explore scenarios involving familial relationships, educational qualifications, and the nature of scientific discovery.

Discussion Character

  • Debate/contested
  • Conceptual clarification
  • Exploratory

Main Points Raised

  • One participant poses a hypothetical about claiming a dying grandfather's discovery as one's own and questions the Nobel Committee's response if the truth were revealed.
  • Another participant argues that such an act would be considered fraud, regardless of the grandfather's blessing, and suggests co-authorship if work is done to finish the paper.
  • A participant emphasizes that hiring physicists to complete a discovery does not qualify one for a Nobel Prize, as the prize is awarded to the discoverers, not their employers.
  • There is a discussion about the eligibility for a Nobel Prize without formal education, with one participant asserting that there is no educational requirement for recipients.
  • Another participant challenges the assertion by asking for examples of Nobel laureates without formal education, while also discussing the nature of discovery versus explanation in the context of past Nobel winners.
  • Some participants express frustration with the hypothetical nature of the scenarios being discussed, questioning their relevance and realism.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the ethics of claiming discoveries, the role of education in receiving a Nobel Prize, and the relevance of the hypothetical scenarios presented. No consensus is reached on these issues.

Contextual Notes

Participants highlight the lack of formal requirements for Nobel Prize eligibility, but also emphasize the importance of education in making significant discoveries. The discussion remains speculative and does not resolve the ethical implications of claiming another's work.

cube137
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For example your dying grandfather has made a breakthough discovery worthy of a Nobel Prize but he was dying and surely won't get a Nobel and he wants you to share it to the world and claim it as your own discovery. Would you still get the Nobel if the committee would find out it is your grandfather's discovery. What steps must be taken so it will be yours?
 
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I would suspect that if they found out it would be scandalous regardless if done with his blessing. Lying is lying whether it is your idea to tell the falsehood or not.

If you had do work to finish the paper then you could put yourself as co-author. In any case it will never be completely yours regardless of what you may do.

BoB
 
Yep, fraud is fraud.
 
Ok. Supposed my grandfather couldn't finish it. And I hired physicists to finish it under my name or organization. Do I get a Nobel?
 
I love a good thought experiment. :thumbup:
 
cube137 said:
Ok. Supposed my grandfather couldn't finish it. And I hired physicists to finish it under my name or organization. Do I get a Nobel?
You don't get a prize for hiring people. Look at all of the Nobel prize winners that have worked for AT&T, the scientists in their employ get the prize, not the employers. The employers can brag that they funded and employed the scientists.
 
Supposed you accidentally discovered high temperature or even room temperature superconductivity... can you get a Nobel if you didn't have PH.D. but just being an undergraduate in chemistry? Or let's say you were self taught and didn't study school.. but you really discovered room temperature superconductivity.. do you get a Nobel?
 
cube137 said:
Supposed you accidentally discovered high temperature or even room temperature superconductivity... can you get a Nobel if you didn't have PH.D. but just being an undergraduate in chemistry? Or let's say you were self taught and didn't study school.. but you really discovered room temperature superconductivity.. do you get a Nobel?

There is ZERO requirement that the recipient of a Nobel prize in physics has any level of education.

So cube173, have you ran out of things to do to amuse yourself?

Zz.
 
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ZapperZ said:
There is ZERO requirement that the recipient of a Nobel prize in physics has any level of education.

So cube173, have you ran out of things to do to amuse yourself?

Zz.

In the history of Nobel Prizes. Can you cite any physicist who doesn't have formal education yet got a Nobel? For example by say accidentally discovering something then reserve engineering it to discover the physical principle?
 
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cube137 said:
In the history of Nobel Prizes. Can you cite any physicist who doesn't have formal education yet got a Nobel? For example by say accidentally discovering something then reserve engineering it to discover the physical principle?

1. A discovery doesn't always require the explanation of the physical principal. Do you think Kamerlingh Onnes actually had the physical explanation for superconductivity when they awarded him the nobel prize for its discovery?

2. No, there wasn't anyone who had won the Nobel prize who hadn't had a formal education, which stressed the importance of having such education to be able to make such discovery. However, the Nobel prize STILL doesn't have a requirement that one has to have a formal education as a criteria to receive such prize (go look at the Nobel website). You are confusing cause-and-effect versus something that is required.

3. What is the point in all of this? Have you ran out of realistic scenarios to learn about and study, and now you are going to waste time yapping about the things that are unlikely to occur? I can't believe that after finding such a valuable resource as this forum that THIS is all that you can think of to ask! What a waste!

Zz.
 
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ZapperZ said:
I can't believe that after finding such a valuable resource as this forum

The term "valuable resource" may be inadequate in this context. The resources available on this site are priceless, it's an incredible collection of knowledge. :thumbup:
 
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This thread is done. :smile:
 

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