Wonder (emotion)

Wonder is a specific human emotion. It is very similar to the feeling of surprise. This feeling occurs when a person perceives something rare or unexpected. Crucially, wonder does not involve feeling threatened. It is often linked to curiosity and the drive for intellectual exploration. Some people compare wonder to awe. However, awe often implies a sense of fear or deep respect. In contrast, wonder is generally associated with joy.

The mechanism of wonder begins with an encounter. It starts when we face a surprising or new object. This object must be far different from what we previously knew. It might also differ from what we supposed it should be. This discrepancy between expectation and reality causes us to admire or feel astonished. In biological terms, this process can be viewed as a reaction to unfamiliarity. If a problem is too unfamiliar, it simply evokes attention. If a problem is difficult but doable, it creates interest and arousal. When the challenge is finally solved, it results in pleasure, often signaled by a smile.

Philosophers have categorized wonder in different ways throughout history. The first thinkers to discuss it were the Greeks, Plato and Aristotle. They believed wonder was the very basis for the birth of philosophy. Later, the French philosopher René Descartes identified admiration as a primary emotion. He argued that emotions are reactions to unexpected phenomena. However, Descartes held a negative view of this passion. He believed that while admiration helps us acquire science, we should eventually try to move past it.

Other thinkers used wonder to define the difference between humans and animals. Thomas Hobbes discussed the relationship between admiration, curiosity, and joy. He noted that when something new happens, it creates hope for future knowledge. Hobbes argued that this passion is almost peculiar to human beings. He observed that animals look at new things to see if they are dangerous or harmless. Humans, however, look at new things to learn where they came from. They seek to understand what use the new thing might have.

Adam Smith, an 18th-century philosopher, used wonder to explain the study of natural science. He noted that even children or uncivilized people differ from animals. A child might hit a stone that hurts them to find a cause. Smith argued that as society becomes more secure, human curiosity increases. This happens because fears are diminished when order is established. He claimed wonder is the first principle that prompts people to study philosophy. People pursue this science to uncover the concealed connections in nature. They do this for the original pleasure of the study itself.

Wonder also connects to religious and spiritual perspectives. Thomas Carlyle associated wonder with the concept of Natural Supernaturalism. He believed that wonder is the essential basis of worship. To Carlyle, the reign of wonder is perennial and indestructible within humans. Abraham Joshua Heschel also viewed wonder as a key emotion for living a worthy life. He believed that ultimate meaning can be sensed beyond a simple naturalistic understanding. For Heschel, this meaning is both mysterious and awe-inspiring.

Today, we see the influence of wonder in many different fields. It is a central feature of the human spirit according to some biologists. It can be found in the creative worlds of science fiction. It also appears in the study of how people use optical devices to see the marvelous. Whether through scientific discovery or religious feeling, wonder remains a powerful force. It continues to drive the human desire to understand the unknown connections of our world.