Childlike Philosophy
Schwitzgebel (2024):
Alison Gopnik compares scientists to children. Children have a flexibility of mind and an interest in theory building. They get a kick just out of exploring the world, trying new things (well, maybe not asparagus), breaking stuff to see what happens, and capsizing tradition. They annoyingly ask for the why behind the why behind the why. Mature, boring adults, in contrast, prefer to find practical applications for what they already know. For example, adults want their new computers to just work without their having to learn anything new, while children play around with the settings, adding goofy sounds and wallpaper, changing the icons, and of course ultimately coming to understand the computers much better. Scientists at their best, on Gopnik’s view — and I would add philosophers — retain that childlike enjoyment of exploration. (258)
I agree.