Wonderstruck
How Wonder and Awe Shape the Way We Think
Published on 18. November 2025
Book
Paperback/Softback
232 pages
978-0-691-23218-8 (ISBN)
Description
A philosopher explores the transformative role of wonder and awe in an uncertain world
Wonder and awe lie at the heart of life's most profound questions. Wonderstruck shows how these emotions respond to our fundamental need to make sense of ourselves and everything around us, and how they enable us to engage with the world as if we are experiencing it for the first time.
Drawing on the latest psychological insights on emotions, Helen De Cruz argues that wonder and awe are emotional drives that motivate us to inquire and discover new things, and that humanity has deliberately nurtured these emotions in cultural domains such as religion, science, and magic. Tracing how wonder and awe unify philosophy, the humanities, and the sciences, De Cruz provides new perspectives on figures such as Plato, Aristotle, Adam Smith, William James, Rachel Carson, Maurice Merleau-Ponty, Jean-Paul Sartre, and Abraham Heschel. Along the way, she explains how these singular emotions empower us to be open-minded, to experience joy and hope, and to be resilient in the face of personal troubles and global challenges.
Taking inspiration from Descartes's portrayal of wonder as "that sudden surprise of the soul," this illuminating book reveals how wonder and awe are catalysts that can help us reclaim what makes life worth living and preserve the things we find wonderful and valuable in our lives.
Wonder and awe lie at the heart of life's most profound questions. Wonderstruck shows how these emotions respond to our fundamental need to make sense of ourselves and everything around us, and how they enable us to engage with the world as if we are experiencing it for the first time.
Drawing on the latest psychological insights on emotions, Helen De Cruz argues that wonder and awe are emotional drives that motivate us to inquire and discover new things, and that humanity has deliberately nurtured these emotions in cultural domains such as religion, science, and magic. Tracing how wonder and awe unify philosophy, the humanities, and the sciences, De Cruz provides new perspectives on figures such as Plato, Aristotle, Adam Smith, William James, Rachel Carson, Maurice Merleau-Ponty, Jean-Paul Sartre, and Abraham Heschel. Along the way, she explains how these singular emotions empower us to be open-minded, to experience joy and hope, and to be resilient in the face of personal troubles and global challenges.
Taking inspiration from Descartes's portrayal of wonder as "that sudden surprise of the soul," this illuminating book reveals how wonder and awe are catalysts that can help us reclaim what makes life worth living and preserve the things we find wonderful and valuable in our lives.
Reviews / Votes
"A Choice Outstanding Academic Title of the Year" "De Cruz constructs a persuasive and nuanced case for looking through the 'everydayness' of the world to see the 'strange and paradoxical' lurking in plain sight. [Wonderstruck is] an expertly fashioned analysis of what it means to perceive the world anew." * Publishers Weekly starred review * "An excellent case for intentionally cultivating wonder and awe. . . . De Cruz argues that awe and wonder can be sources of hope because they help us to shift our perspective, understand our interconnectedness and get attuned to the intrinsic value of our ecosystem. . . . It remains for each of us to discover the best ways to bring awe and wonder into our lives, but Wonderstruck offers a persuasive reminder that we really should."---Skye C. Cleary, Wall Street Journal "Written in a careful, clear, and distinct style, this magisterial volume will help the reader comprehend more effectively the surrounding world by acknowledging that one observes itthrough the lens of awe and wonder. . . . [De Cruz] uses her knowledge of the history of philosophy, psychology, and science to substantiate her perspective on the role and distinctive contribution of awe and wonder in nourishing how science and knowledge of the world evolves." * Choice * "Wonderstruck isn't just a philosophical analysis. It's a guide to wondering more and better in our reading, our thinking and our everyday lives." * New Humanist * "Rich and readable. . . . Wonderstruck is a thoughtful, eclectic, enjoyable exploration of the varieties of wonder and awe."---Ian Kidd, Fortean Times "These days, the US establishment doesn't see particle physics and astronomy as so militarily significant, and our funding reflects this shift. Does that mean what we do isn't important? I think De Cruz's latest book [Wonderstruck] answers this question: our work creates a sense of wonder, and wonder matters. It helps us identify gaps in our knowledge that could lead to breakthroughs."---Chanda Prescod-Weinstein, New Scientist "Delightful and informative. . . . As wise and erudite as it is gentle to the reader."---Taylor Carman, Notre Dame Philosophical ReviewsMore details
Language
English
Place of publication
New Jersey
United States
Product notice
Paperback (trade)
Illustrations
8 b/w illus. 1 table.
Dimensions
Height: 214 mm
Width: 137 mm
Thickness: 17 mm
Weight
298 gr
ISBN-13
978-0-691-23218-8 (9780691232188)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Additional editions
E-Book
03/2024
1st Edition
Princeton University Press
€18.49
Available for download
Person
Helen De Cruz (1978-2025) was the Danforth Chair in the Humanities and professor of philosophy at Saint Louis University. Her books include Religious Disagreement and (with Johan De Smedt) A Natural History of Natural Theology.