Practices of Wonder

Fülszöveg

Wonder has often occupied a place of unique importance across a variety of humán practices and intellectual activities. At different times and historical periods, it has been hailed as the beginning of philosophy and as the end that philosophy should aspire to pursue; as the motive force of scientific quests and their fruit; as the aim of art and the means art uses to accomplish its aims; and as the religious experience par excellence and the hallmark of a deeper spiritual life. Yet despite the special relationship it has borne to many of our most highly valued intellectual and spiritual practices, wonder remains a neglected and understudied notion. This volume aims to redress this neglect, bringing together a collection of essays drawn from different disciplines to consider the sense of wonder from a number of complementary perspectives. What is wonder? What role has it historically played in philosophy, science, art and aesthetics, and the religious or spiritual life? Can wonder... Tovább

Fülszöveg

Wonder has often occupied a place of unique importance across a variety of humán practices and intellectual activities. At different times and historical periods, it has been hailed as the beginning of philosophy and as the end that philosophy should aspire to pursue; as the motive force of scientific quests and their fruit; as the aim of art and the means art uses to accomplish its aims; and as the religious experience par excellence and the hallmark of a deeper spiritual life. Yet despite the special relationship it has borne to many of our most highly valued intellectual and spiritual practices, wonder remains a neglected and understudied notion. This volume aims to redress this neglect, bringing together a collection of essays drawn from different disciplines to consider the sense of wonder from a number of complementary perspectives. What is wonder? What role has it historically played in philosophy, science, art and aesthetics, and the religious or spiritual life? Can wonder be dangerous? Is wonder an experience in which we should, or indeed could, aspire to dwell? Why, among humán experiences, should it be prized? We all recognize wonder, but we are puzzled by what exactly it is. Sophia Vasalou s multidisciplinary team of specialists unravels the strands of our perplexity, and her own substantial contribution presents the topic with her customary imagination, learning, and originality. John Marenbon, Professor of Medieval Philosophy, University of Cambridge Is wonder of importance, and if so, why? This wide-ranging and thoughtprovoking collection of essays can be warmly recommended to anyone with an interest in this intriguing topic. Jane Heal, Faculty of Philosophy, University of Cambridge Sophia Vasalou completed a PhD in Islamic Theology at the University of Cambridge in 2006. She has since been a junior research fellow at Gonville and Caius College, Cambridge, and has taught at the European College of Liberal Arts in Berlin. She is the author of Morál Agents and Their Deserts (2008). Vissza