TORONTO - A Montreal-based philosopher and a biologist working at a Toronto hospital Monday became the first Canadians to receive the Kyoto Prize -- Japan's equivalent of the Nobel Prize.

Charles Taylor and Anthony Pawson accepted their separate awards during a ceremony in Kyoto, Japan.

The Kyoto Prize, awarded by the Inamori Foundation, recognizes outstanding contributions to arts and philosophy, basic science and advanced technology. California-based computer scientist Richard Karp rounded out the roster of 2008 winners.

The three men each received a cash prize of 50 million yen, or about $590,000 Cdn.

They will also participate in a symposium for Kyoto laureates next March in Sandiego, Calif.

According to a statement released Monday, the foundation honoured Taylor for his development of a social philosophy to help people of diverse cultures to coexist peacefully.

The foundation praised the McGill University professor for charting a "future course" for today's global society.

In his acceptance speech, Taylor emphasized the divisive nature of wars and diverging political processes, adding that these forces reaffirm the need for co-operative social philosophies.

"The nature of democratic rule, its need for mutual trust, the imperative to provide the assurance that each and every group can and will be listened to, forces us to build a new sense of unity in a population of diverse cultures and religions," he said.

Taylor's expertise has been tapped and lauded on his native soil. He became a Companion of the Order of Canada in 2000, and last year he co-authored a report studying the social accommodation of minorities in Quebec.

Pawson, a world-renowned cell biologist with the Samuel Lunenfeld Research Institute at Toronto's Mount Sinai Hospital, has been recognized for his work on how human cells communicate with one another.

His studies have furthered the understanding of a number of diseases, including cancer, diabetes and immune disorders.

"Kyoto is not simply a beautiful city. It has also become synonymous around the world with the creativity and collective wisdom that we will need to make a success of the 21st century," Pawson said in his acceptance speech.

"For me, it is both humbling and exhilarating to be associated with Kyoto through this magnificent prize."

The award is the latest in a series of honours for Pawson, who was inducted into the Canadian Medical Hall of Fame in 2006.

That same year he was named to the Order of the Companions of Honour, making him one of only nine Canadians to receive that distinction.

Founded in 1985, the Kyoto Prize is given to people for their contribution in the scientific, cultural and spiritual betterment of humankind.

The Inamori Foundation is the charitable body established by Kazuo Inamori, founder of Japanese electronics maker Kyocera Corp.