A preliminary investigation of a family of cognitively significant emotions

Abstract

In this paper I attempt a preliminary investigation of a family of cognitively significant emotions (which includes inter alia interest, attention, surprise) while focusing more specifically upon the philosophically richer curiosity and wonder. I examine them from various perspectives, primarily those that may be termed historical, phenomenological, and virtue-theoretical. My intention is to illuminate some of the vital functions that curiosity and wonder, in particular, fulfil. It is hoped that such an exploration may draw attention to this much-neglected family of cognitively significant emotions and encourage future studies.