16 November 2017
Studying the sense of wonder empirically requires a clear definition of (the different types of) wonder that allows us to distinguish it from neighboring concepts, as well as clarity about different aspects and possible indicators of wonder; the same holds for wonder-full education.
Guiding hypotheses were: 1) that we can distinguish – conceptually and experientially – between ‘inquisitive’ wonder and ‘contemplative’ wonder; and 2) that both of these can be distinguished from awe and curiosity. The project aimed to deliver theoretical and operational definitions of (the two types of) wonder and of wonder-full education. Wonder is an elusive phenomenon. The challenge was to 'capture' the phenomenon as well as possible, so as to be able to conceptualize it in a way that allowed us to study it empirically.