Abstract
Wonder is a mundane experience and, at the same time, a transformational state of mind in which we more or less suddenly become aware of an expanded field of possibility and start exploring it without the expectation of reaching a particular outcome or understanding. Wondering helps us dwell into the unknown as a goal in and of itself. This entry starts from a brief history of thinking about wonder before moving on to a conceptual model of it and, finally, reflecting on the practical implications of wondering in education, work, and in society. The history of this phenomenon brings to the fore our changing relationship, through the centuries, with emotions, knowledge, and certainty. The theoretical framework proposed connects wonder to the possible and postulates the interrelated processes of being aware of, excited about, and exploring new possibilities. In this way, wonder includes both a passive, receptive, and an active or dynamic dimension balancing wondering at and wondering about. Final reflections are offered on the importance of wonder for the person and for society.
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Glăveanu, V.P. (2022). Wonder. In: Glăveanu, V.P. (eds) The Palgrave Encyclopedia of the Possible. Palgrave Macmillan, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-90913-0_129
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-90913-0_129
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