Albert Knox states that "It seems as if in the process of growing up we lose the ability to wonder about the world." He says this as he believes that when people grow up, they take the world for granted. This is because we are used to the things we see and meet everyday in our surroundings and therefore do not take the time to wonder about how or why it exists. This is different for a young child who looks at the world from a different perspective. A baby has the ability to wonder because everything it sees is new to it therefore it causes curiousity. However, as it grows up, the things around us becomes natural and therefore a habit. We then stop wondering about it as we just learn that "this is the way things are".
However, I personally believe that this does not apply to all people and all things. It is true that we may not be as impressed when seeing a dog as the young child in Albert Knox's example but we still wonder about many other things. This is why some people are keen on studying because they want to aquire knowledge about the world. This could be a form of curiousity or... "the ability to wonder". Even today, people are still studying the beginning of the world and the theory of God's existence. Astronauts explore space because there are still many things unseen by human beings. These are only a few examples.
However, there are reasons as to why some people stop wondering about the world. It is a shame that some of us are tired of asking questions to which we get no answers and therefore have just accepted that the world is "just the way it is." It is also because of Religious beliefs as to why people stop wondering. They are so often taught to just trust and believe rather than using scientific, psychological and philisophical ways to prove how things work.
Overall, I understand Albert Knox's theory as to people stop wondering about the world. However, I do not totally agree with it because we often do still wonder about things but not just as much as a new born baby. We grow up with the world as a habit to us and some may take it for granted but many others still have the ability to wonder and be curious about things which are new to them. Everyday, people search for answers to questions which may probably stay unknown forever.
3 comments:
Hi Joyce,
I agree with you that the ability to wonder varies amongst everyone. But are you saying that the people that choose to think of the world as a habit do not wonder anymore?
I agree with Michelle. You say that the ability to wonder varies amongst people and that people soon think of the world as a habit, but thinking deeper, people who take the world as a habit still actually wonder about things in the world.
I also agree with what Michelle and Jocelyn stated out. Are you implying that the ability to wonder is lost once the world becomes a habit to that particular person? Then wouldn't the person's life become really boring and he/she would never take an interst in anything. In that case, they're better off from the world!
Yay, first comment to someone's assignment 1, two more to go.
Vicki
Post a Comment