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The Metaphysics of Wonder and Surprise

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  25 February 2009

R. V. Feldman M.A.
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Extract

Philosophers, accounted wise in their generation and even beyond their generation, have enthroned the unchanging and sung the praises of fatality and acquiescence. But there is a voice even more authoritative than that of the sages—the voice of the LifeShaper himself. Perched on the height of the human soul, he has set two watchmen, more sagacious and knowing than the Metaphysicians who weave words “About it and about” in the taverns beneath; their names are Wonder and Surprise. Wonder spies out novelty, and Surprise discerns change. Wonder arises at that which is beyond expectation; Surprise at that which is contrary to expec tation. What could completely surpass expectation save the completely novel? What could so drastically dismantle expectation save the hurricane onset of change?

Type
Article
Information
Philosophy , Volume 9 , Issue 34 , April 1934 , pp. 209 - 213
Copyright
Copyright © The Royal Institute of Philosophy 1934

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