WONDER AND UNDERSTANDING |
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| Authors: | Margaret A Boden |
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| Institution: | Margaret Boden is professor of philosophy and psychology, University of Sussex, Falmer, Brighton, Sussex BN1 9QN, England. |
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| Abstract: | Abstract. Wonder is a root of the religious experience, and the desire to understand drives science. If wonder and understanding are fundamentally opposed, religion and science will be also. But only if wonder is limited to the contemplation of magic or mysteries is religion in principle opposed to science. The aim of science is to explain how something is possible. Understanding how something is possible need not destroy our wonder at it. Recent scientific theories of the human mind—albeit based in computer technology—increase our wonder at its richness and power. |
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