Curiosity. This is a word that has guided my life. In its etymological history, curious is found in Latin as curiosus defined as “careful, diligent; inquiring eagerly.” As Latin spread across Europe, it came to mean “odd or strange” to the medieval French in the word curios. After the Norman invasion of England, the name retained a negative connotation in English until 1715. In the modern world the word it is utilized as an adjective in two senses: 1. To indicate thought and inquiry, 2. To be abnormal.
It is a quality that has become essential to the development of a healthy intellect. Some of the greatest minds ever known are famous as a result of their curiosity: Sir Isaac Newton, Albert Einstein, John Cage and Hannah Arendt all valued curiosity as a vital aspect of the creative and scientific process. Newton’s tome Principia is the summation of his curiosity into the world of Mathematics as a Scientific Language, and the importance of the calculus to the efficiency of physical and geometric studies.
The work of Einstein in the field of theoretical physics was a byproduct of his interest in problems beyond the numbers, problems that would often lead others frustrated. John Cage’s eminence and impact as an avant-garde composer was the synthesis of his interest in a variety of fields: Mycology, Zen Buddhism, and the definition of the nature of music and its function in a randomized environment. Hannah Arendt was able to struggle with the nature of evil in relation to the human condition, because she was curious about everything that defines humanity and the importance of thought and curiosity in the balance of good and evil.
Curiosity has guided me on a plethora of paths, adventures that broadened my intellectual and spiritual horizons. In short it the basis of my life philosophy: Be Curious about everything. From my earliest recollections, my curiosity has fueled a passion for learning. It has brought up, among other things, many questions.
If in a history class I am told: “Pol Pot killed thousands of his own people.” My reaction is not just one of horror, but one of interest: How, where, and why were they killed? Is it similar to the genocides of Turkey and the Balkans? Or in a science class: “Certain species can live in extreme climates, such as the sharks of the Kavachi Caldera.” My first thought is: What allows and motivates the sharks to inhabit such an environment?
For all of the questions and intellectual expansion provided by curiosity, it can also be a formidable experience. This can be expressed in the proverb “Curiosity killed the Cat,” whose origin can be traced to about 1500, and has been popularized through the works of Ben Johnson, O. Henry and Eugene O’Neil. Certainly it is important to have wariness with curiosity. The investigation of a potential danger although thrilling, is somewhat ill advised.
My curiosity has had an impact on my social relationships, it allows me to converse freely with others.When I meet a new person, my mind is filled with questions and inquiries: Why are they dressed that way? What is their accent? That mannerism is interesting, I wonder if it is a colloquialism, or a unique eccentricity?
Sometimes it is difficult to stem the flow of questions. Often when reading, if I have to look something up, my search brings forth many questions and I find myself, an hour or so later learning about the history of sausage after looking up the term scrapple.
It is a comfort to know that there are other curious people in the world, individuals who love the pursuit of knowledge. In the words of Alex Trebek, Canadian, sophophile and Jeopardy Host “I am curious about everything, even things that do not Interest me.”
