I believe that part of what propels science is the thirst…
“I believe that part of what propels science is the thirst for wonder. It's a very powerful emotion. All children feel it. In a first grade classroom everybody feels it; in a twelfth grade classroom almost nobody feels it, or at least acknowledges it. Something happens between first and twelfth grade, and it's not just puberty. Not only do the schools and the media not teach much skepticism, there is also little encouragement of this stirring sense of wonder. Science and pseudoscience both arouse that feeling. Poor popularizations of science establish an ecological niche for pseudoscience.”
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
Wonder drives scientific curiosity; its decline in education reduces critical thinking and opens space for pseudoscience.
In simple terms: Wonder fuels science; losing it harms inquiry.
Key Takeaway
Cultivate curiosity early and sustain it.
Themes
education
curiosity
science
critical thinking
Mood
reflective
concerned
Type
inspirational
philosophical
When to use this quote
- Classroom teaching
- media coverage
- public outreach
- science communication
- curriculum design
Key Concepts
Motivation
emotional engagement
skepticism
Questions to Reflect On
- How can schools keep wonder alive?
- What role does media play in shaping curiosity?
A Different Perspective
Not all wonder leads to rigorous science; it can be misdirected.