He is an illustrious physicist and one of the foremost intellectuals on the subject of the Italian cultural panorama in the second half of the twentieth century.  Having grown up within the Culture of Truth , he has kept its flame alight ever since.  With his shrewd epistemological observation, he critiques the cult of the neutrality of science and upholds a conscious, responsible attitude towards society.  He is a noble guardian and member of the environmentalist movement and a strong defender of diversity.  Broadly speaking, his thinking can be summarized in the phrase “Life cannot be patented” which links closely to the concept of “The Responsibility Principle” set out by Hans Jonas.  It is a message that we want to pass on to future generations.

Ermanno Olmi will present the prize.