In Chapter 2, Albert Knox states that "It seems as if in the process of growing up we lose the ability to wonder about the world."
What the philosopher is trying to say, is that as people mature, they lose interest in the wider, more mysterious matters of the world and tend to fall into daily routine. I agree with this statement, and a simple widely used idiom can be used to demonstrate this: "You can't teach an old dog new tricks".
People as they grow older tend to close their minds and fall into routine. They are unable to learn new skills and accept other points of view and my grandmother is a prime example of this. During the last few months, I've been trying to teach her how to use a computer. My grandmother has experience typing during her working days and is by no means a slow typist. The only thing restraining her from learning say how to copy and paste is her unwillingness to explore and take risks. She says that any mistake can be costly and therefore she shouldn't try anything out.
She also uses the same principle for religion and since she has been a Roman Catholic all her life and goes to church every Sunday, she refuses to listen to alternate interpretations for the creation of the universe or humanity's place in the world. But, the most annoying thing about her closed mindedness is that she still doesn't believe in what science has proved. She still sticks to her old superstitions on say medecine. If she were living in the 18th century, she would refuse to accept that the world was round or that Earth isn't the center of the universe. This, of course, is taking it to the extreme and most people can slowly adapt their beliefs.
On the other hand, I do not think that people lose the ability to wonder and merely put it to one side. I would use a candle to represent our interest in the wider world. As we are born, we get newly lit and therefore are most open to new experiences and as the years pass, the candle dims until it is barely visible and we become close minded. The aim of the philosopher is to rekindle Sophie's flame and to help others do the same.
However, few really maintain their curiousity for the wider world as they grow old because more important things are happening in life. The startling thing is that even young people such as Sophie's friend Joanna in the opening 120 pages can already have lost interest in the wonders of the world. She thinks Sophie has lost her mind and isn't thinking straight. After reading the book, we come to ridicule Joanna for being so close minded. The scary thing is, so many people like Joanna and Sophie's mother are oblivious to the wonders of the world in this modern age. It is important that we allow our mind to be open to new points of view and to keep our flame burning bright so that we continue to "wonder about the world".
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5 comments:
I would certainly agree with you on most of the things from the essay, however, I am not sure that all old people actually loose the ability to wonder about the world. I think it depends on the person, his/her background experience and personailty. My grandma's the example, she's actually the opposite of yours.
Although she's over seventy years old, she is currently going to this singing class and loves to learn how to sing and gets to accept what she had done wrong and also tries to improve it. Once I had heard her singing and she is seriously good at singing!
So yeah, I think being very old actually doesn't allow the person to stop wondering about the world.
Response to Sharon.
I did not actually say that ALL old people are close minded. They just tend to be more so than those younger because of a variety of different reasons. Loss of memory, routine which they are afraid to break from and the thought that they have experienced everything they could. As Socrates said "Wisest are those that know that they don't know" and old people think they are wise and knowledgeable.
PS. Wow, what an amazing grandmother you have there! But, I bet there are certain things she will have difficulty learning or parting from!
I agree with the most part of what you've said, but I'm finding it hard to see humans as a burning candle.
How would you suggest, then, that doctors found cures to dieseases by wondering and finding answers by doing extensive research and experiments?
Response to Hiral.
The candle simile refers only to man's interest in the wider world. Not all people's flames diminish over time though, because if you constantly need to think and explore, how can your flame die down? Scientists and Inventors all need to think and explore so that our race can progress, I'm sure that all inventors have thought long and hard about the mysteries of the universe, because you have to ask the question before you can get an answer.
It is those poor people that don't wonder that need to be rekindled. Those people that just use the technology we have currently developed and rest on their laurels waiting for others to lead the way.
PS. Doctors find cures to diseases by trying new combinations and conducting new research. Isn't this just asking more questions until one finds a valid answer?
I like that you included the part when Sophie's Mom and friends thought she was crazy. Society does not really encourage wondering about the world, and when we do, just like Sophie, we get ridiculed by the people who have 'closed their minds'.
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