Curiosity

The subject of Curiosity has propped up in my mind many a times, not the least recently, when I observed my son, Ethan.

Ethan, 13 months old, exhibits a consistent curious behavior which, more often than not, impresses me with wonder, fatherly happiness and pride. The flip side of this, of course, is having to watch him all the time during his waking hours, to protect him from potential dangers that lurk and await an unsuspecting explorer.

I myself is a curious person, always questioning, always seeking answers to what may seem to others the most mundane of affairs. From my observation of Ethan so far, I guess he has inherited a huge dose of me in that particular faculty.

So, what is curiosity? A quick check at wikipedia: "Curiosity is an emotion related to natural inquisitive behaviour such as exploration, investigation, and learning, evident by observation in human and many animal species."

I consider curiosity as an innate endowment to the human nature, for it is most keenly displayed at the youngest of age, when one is still relatvely untouched by his social and cultural environment. I believe it is one of the most compelling reasons why human has risen above all other species.

Einstein said:"The important thing is not to stop questioning… Never lose a holy curiosity."

Once during the early days in my first year at high school, my teacher mentioned something about canoe and canoeing to the class. I did not know that word then, and as such with all youthful exuberence i raised my hands and asked:"what's a canoe?". To which the class erupted into laughter, and i was to learn later, maybe a hint of sneer. I was ignorant, and what's more, I had the audacity to ask in front of the whole class. The most direct rewards of this little episode were:

1. I learn what a canoe was.
2. I became the talk of the town. Some classmates would come to me thereafter, and ask me:" hey, what's a canoe? haha..."

On hindsight and many years later, I thought the teacher could do more by "politely reminding" the class that it is okay to ask questions. That it is okay to know that one is ignorant and learn. Isn't that the purpose of a classroom?

Our social and cultural environment affects the way we behave, even the way we think sometimes; our surroundings either suppress or promote our actions and thoughts.

Of course, nowadays I am more discreet about being so openly ignorant of certain subjects to certain people. While admitting that things need not be this way, I have often found myself being pressured to comply to society's norm.

I guess a simple way of determining whether is it right or wrong to act in a particular circumstance, a litmus test of right and wrong, would be to ask the question:"what would I wish my child would do if he is confronted with this circumstance?"

What would I wish my child would do if he doesn't know what a canoe is?

1. Just brush it aside and continue not knowing. (hmm...)
2. Take note of the word and go check a dictionary or ask somebody in private. (A bit too cynical and world-weary for my liking at this tender age)
3. Simply raise up his hands and ask the question straightaway. (Well you should know my stand by now)


Now, what would you wish and teach your child do?