"This book is an attempt to present, in an organized form, an outline of the new science of child study for investigators, students, teachers, and parents. It is the fruit of fourteen years' experience in studying and teaching child study, and of seven years' experience as a father. Most of the work has been presented successfully, in nearly its present form, to normal students. Prominence is given to the foundations of child study in other sciences, and to the more general, permanent, and practical truths thus far revealed by students of children. The treatment of each topic is, in a way, complete in itself, though related to every other and intended to be worked out more completely by reading, observation, experiment, and discussion. It is hoped that the plan of the book will adapt itself to the use of intelligent parents and to classes in normal schools and universities, with varying preparation and amount of time to devote to the subject."--Preface

Curiosity has taken a winding path through intellectual history, from Early Christian vice to Enlightenment virtue and beyond. This original volume sees contemporary philosophers and psychologists examining the nature and value of curiosity, shedding light on some of its most interesting features and exploring its role in human experience. Authors examine the nature and history of curiosity, the psychology of curiosity and its relationship to interest, understanding, and desire, the impact of language in shaping our curiosity, the cultivation and measurement of curiosity, and the vital part that curiosity can and should play in education. With perspectives on curiosity from all over the world, this diverse, interdisciplinary collection provides an in-depth and multi-faceted examination of the epistemological, psychological, moral, and educative dimensions of curiosity.