A Beautiful Mind

by

Sylvia Nasar

Ingemar Stahl Character Analysis

Stahl is a Swedish economics and law professor on the selection committee for the Nobel Prize in Economics who strongly objects to John Nash’s winning the Nobel Prize. Stahl is a “brilliant debater” who is skeptical of game theory and concerned about Nash’s reputation, given Nash’s long hiatus from mathematics. Stahl makes inquiries about Nash’s mental state, arguing that Nash is too unstable to handle the fame associated with becoming a Laureate. Ultimately, though, Assar Lindbeck and other members of the selection committee overrule Stahl’s objections.
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Ingemar Stahl Character Timeline in A Beautiful Mind

The timeline below shows where the character Ingemar Stahl appears in A Beautiful Mind. The colored dots and icons indicate which themes are associated with that appearance.
Chapter 48 – The Prize
Mental Illness, Recovery, and the Quest for Knowledge Theme Icon
...the debates became contentious. Nash’s reputation as a “ghost” at Princeton precedes him, and Ingemar Stahl, a professor of economics and law, expresses opposition to the idea of awarding the prize... (full context)
Mental Illness, Recovery, and the Quest for Knowledge Theme Icon
...mathematicians have questioned the quality of Laureates over the years. The debate between Lindbeck and Stahl over Nash’s selection takes place against a backdrop of hostile relations within the academy: the... (full context)
Mental Illness, Recovery, and the Quest for Knowledge Theme Icon
...in the field gather to hear a lecture on the candidates’ contributions; during this session, Stahl questions the lecturer on the merits of the candidates as Laureates, including Nash, noting that... (full context)