Jostein Gaarger describes the process of growing up as the time when ‘we lose the ability to wonder about the world.’ Due to my age it would be very easy for me to disagree with this statement, as I sit in denial, ashamed of my unwillingness to question the world. However I believe that everyone has their own questions about the world. People cannot be stereotyped into being a believer or not, because people have different values and different perceptions of what’s important in the world.
I think that the drive to find answers occurs when each individual has matured to a level where they can accept the answers for what they are worth. Sure, children are curious, but they are curious about everything, as Jostein agrees, therefore when they are given a simple answer they learn from it, when you try to describe the facts of life to an infant they are oblivious to the true meaning and just accept it. As the infant grows the questions about the world seem miniscule compared to the changes and challenges ahead of them in their lifestyles. I believe that it is only when an individual reaches a mature age that these question can become a priority.
I also believe that the questions about the world are insignificant if the person has not yet fulfilled their childhood and developed an understanding of reality and everyday events. Therefore I conclude that the above statement is true however it is only a temporary fixture as children grown out of this stereotype to become philosophers of their own in their own time, whatever their questions may be.
5 comments:
Well written Rachel =)
I argue with you that 'an individual reaches a mature age that these question can become a priority.' It is true that most children are naive and would believe whatever they are told. But I don't really understand your point when you said 'the questions about the world are insignificant if the person has not yet fulfilled their childhood and developed an understanding of reality and everyday events'. Do you mean that in order for people to wonder about the world, they have to 'fullfill their childhood' and 'understand' what's happening in everyday lives?
But on the whole, well done Rimpy! And I'm very proud of you =D
WOW! That was so deep! Your post was very thought provoking.
I thought it was interesting that you pulled in the ideas of people’s upbringing (religious and cultural influences) into how they view the world. This is obviously very true. Developed countries cannot begin to understand how the world looks though the eyes of the third world population. Christians believe God made the world in seven day but other religions take a different view. I had not explored this.
However, I do not agree with the idea that you need to be mature to really “wonder about the world”. Having read Skyland’s post, I now believe that all age groups wonder but they wonder about different things. I agree that in the process of “growing up” we are able to answer more advanced philosophical questions but that does not mean that children could not.
Response to Jayne Lo and Anna Chadwick:
What i was trying to say was that that when your young everything is unusual to you, and you have so many questions but if u dont answer the basic questions of growing up then you cant understand how important the questions about the world are, also in order to appreciate everyone elses religious views and perceptions you need to be at a mature age.
hey rach,
Im impressed. what you wrote is awesome.. I agree with the whole idea that infants just accecpt whatever they are told without understanding why.
its awesome,
Miguel
I disagree to what you have said. I think that infants do not have many questions about the world. I think infants at that age is like a fax machine. What ever goes in comes out excatly the same. The infants will not question it as it is the only "fax" they get. They will slowly build up their "fax" in an older age and arange it and then find the answers. This may be late in their age.
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