Kyoto Prize awarded to 3 researchers from U.S., Canada in ceremony

KYOTO, Nov. 10 Kyodo - Three researchers from the United States and Canada received the 2008 Kyoto Prize from the Inamori Foundation in a presentation ceremony on Monday for their contributions to information science, life science and philosophy, respectively.

Richard Karp, 73, professor at the University of California at Berkeley, won
the award in information science for fundamental contributions to the
development of the theory of computational complexity and influence on the
design of algorithms for computers to solve problems, the foundation said.
''Because the study of algorithms coincides perfectly with my mathematical
tastes and interests, it has been possible for me to contribute to society
merely by doing the work that I most enjoy,'' Karp said in his speech at the
award ceremony held at the Kyoto International Conference Center.
Anthony Pawson, 56, professor at the University of Toronto, was given the life
science award for his work on ''intercellular signaling that controls cellular
growth and differentiation,'' according to the foundation.
Pawson said in his speech, ''I would assert that we are still profoundly
ignorant of the natural world, meaning that we still have the most
extraordinary opportunities to discover new ways of thinking.''
Charles Taylor, 77, professor emeritus at McGill University, was selected for
advocating multiculturalism from the perspective of ''holistic individualism,''
the foundation said.
''This is a work in which I have been collaborating with many others over a
number of years and I am very happy to see that this essential enterprise is
recognized,'' Taylor said.
The three laureates received diplomas, medals and 50 million yen each.
The foundation was established in 1984 by Kazuo Inamori, chairman emeritus of
Japanese technology company Kyocera Corp., based in Kyoto.