Curiosity, instinct or conscious thought?

Question

Is curiosity something you have to develop and be conscious of or something more instinctive, like a reflex? If so, what would trigger a person to ask a question? Why would someone wonder why the sky is blue but not ask why the dirt is brown? If it's not, if it's something you are consciously aware of then how do you go about making yourself ask questions?

Answer 1

From my experience working with kids (I'm a nanny and a music educator), children are naturally curious, though some more than others. I believe adults help to foster curiosity in children. For example, if a child asks their parent a question, and the parent either shuts them out, or just plain doesn't answer, the child is not likely to ask questions again. I've experienced that the more curious children also tend to be the most imaginative and the most creative. It's nothing statistically proven or anything, it's just what I've observed.

The sky blue/dirt brown is an awesome question. I actually talked to a five year old the other day about dirt, and we talked about how a lot of it is worm and bug poop. :) The kid was so excited, and then started asking more questions about bugs and worms, but never asked about why it's brown. Weird!

I don't think people consciously decide to ask questions. I think curiousity is a reflex, it is innate in people, and that their experiences with getting answers to their questions helps shape both how often they ask, and how they ask. It's a simple case of conditioning. What amazes me is how many kids and adults alike will not ask why, or how, or when, but just accept what they are told. That's scary.

Answer 2

Curiosity is why most things are found, are invented are asked. Instinct usually comes from some knowledge or experience that drives us to then go into action, like in fright and flight. Conscious thought is that which we think about in an organized manner and form. As to the reflex that would be mostly instinctive or unconscious thought. However, all thought is of our consciousness, their from all our collective experiences and thoughts. It is said...that all spoken words throughout all history by all humanity is still caught in the atmosphere of our Earth. We collectively draw upon this through our experiences of life, reading, learning, listening, watching, hearing, touching, smelling and yes....asking questions..all is a question.

As to why we ask if the sky is blue and not that the dirt is brown, because man "instinctively looks up, and cannot physically touch the sky, nor see the limit of it". But the soil beneath his feet tell him much, for he can touch, taste and physically use it. His instinct tells him.........why the dirt is brown.

Answer 3

i agree with tickle, picture kids. they all have a natural curiousity and ask tons of questions. they haven't a care in the world. adults tend to just grow up and stop asking as many questions, probably cuz they have other things to worry about.

the other day, i was wondering about how electricity REALLY worked. we just take it for granted, but what would happen if all lights went out? i was shocked b/c i never actually sat down to think about the whole process of electricity and light switches before.

Answer 4

I think when people are happy and well adjusted...it is natural to be curious...wanting to embrace what life has....When a person is unhappy, depressed.....one doesn't normally care what else is going on in the rest of the world...so why wonder? Just an observation.