losing the ability to wonder

"It seems as if in the process of growing up we lose the ability to wonder about the world" – Albert Knox
I think what Albert Knox is saying is that as we grow older, come across different situations and experience new things; we tend to lose interest and stop wondering about the world and our surroundings as we get used to them and start to take everything for granted.

In my opinion, as we grow out of the wondering 'infant phase' we adapt and become used to our surrroundings. Another way to put this is that as we grow older, we no longer go "Bow-wow! Bow-wow!" and go crazy after seeing a dog. This is because as matured beings, we are already familiar and know what a dog is through education and countless experiences. We are no longer fascinated by this. We have tought ourselves to wonder less. Our lives are also clouded by priorities such as working to earn money for the family, and having fun. Basically everyday tasks and requirements are reflexively prioritized over wondering about the ideas of where we came from or how and why we are here. And so in a way, our ability to wonder is diminished and is pushed away. When we are faced with philosophical questions like these, we tend to settle on our own opinions and beliefs which are based and influenced by experiences, education and sometimes by religious ideas.

In comparison to a matured adult, a young child who is fairly new to the world would undoubtedly be filled with curiosity and wonder. Everything is new to the child and so s/he would be enthralled by everything it sees whereas we are used to the world and have 'adapted' to it. A great example for this 'enthrallment' is the dog situation in the novel where the child shouts "Bow-wow!" continuously in amazement after seeing a dog. The child continues to be dumbfounded by new things until it becomes a common experience and therefore the curiosity and the ability to wonder is diminished.

To conclude, I don't fully agree with Knox's statement. In my personal opinion, we still have the ability to wonder as we grow up but it is simply pushed aside as we are faced and preoccupied with immediate, everyday needs. We have also grown used to and are familiar to the 'dog situation' and so the world becomes a habit.

Josh P