Ronald Dworkin is awarded the Holberg International Memorial Prize for 2007. The American legal philosopher will receive the prize for his influential legal theory built on moral principles.
19/09/2007 :: The Board of the Ludvig Holberg Memorial Fund awards prizes under three headings every year: the Holberg International Memorial Prize, the Nils Klim Prize and the Holberg Prize School Project.
A theory on moral principles
Dworkin’s theory is grounding law in morality, and is characterized by a unique ability to tie together abstract philosophical ideas and arguments with concrete everyday concerns in law, morals, and politics.
Dworkin’s pioneering scholarly work has had world wide impact. He has participated extensively in the public debate of contemporary political and legal issues.
Prize for Arctic issues
The Nils Klim prize goes to Carina Keskitalo, a young Associate Professor at the Department of Political Science at Umeå University in Sweden.
Kestikalo is awarded the prize for her outstanding contribution to research on Arctic issues. Her multidisciplinary approach to issues of relevance for the Arctic regions has by its conceptual clarity and innovative character made her work recognized internationally.
An annual award
The Ludvig Holberg Memorial fund was established in 2003 by the Norwegian Parliament. The Fund annually awards the Holberg International Memorial Prize for outstanding scholarly work in the fields of the arts and humanities, social sciences, law and theology. The Nils Klim Prize is awarded younger Nordic scientists under 35 within the same fields.
The laureates will be presented with their prizes in two ceremonies in Bergen on 26 November (The Nils Klim prize) and 28 November (The Holberg International Memorial Prize).
Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs