You ever have that moment when you are startled by the strangeness of the world?

It could happen when you are in an exceptionally “deep” mood.

It could happen when you’re driving your car.

It could happen at a funeral.

It could happen when you’re out for a run.

It could happen in the midst of a conversation.

It could happen because of certain substances that alter our orientation to the world (wink).

Star gazing. Walking the dog. Changing a diaper (probably not). Sitting. Gardening. Spelunking. You name it.

Any way it happens, there are moments when we become aware of the weirdness that anything exists at all. After all, who can answer the ancient question of why there is something rather than nothing. And in certain moments, we become aware of this great mystery. It’s like we wake up. We become like children again. There is a word to describe this moment.

Wonder.

Wonder is the beginning of philosophy. It’s like a mental defibrillator (I had to look up how to spell that).It is that moment of pure awe, when we are jarred from our routines and obligations and all the meaningless white-noise with which we fill our time, and we are confronted with the mysteries at the heart of our lives. Wonder ignites the conversations, the questions, the uncertainties, the journey toward greater awareness of our shortcomings.

Everyone is a philosopher. We all have a desire for truth and beauty. Some people just aren’t very good at keeping their eyes open, or they simply refuse certain questions, or they don’t want to acknowledge certain assumptions.

So if you’re going to be one, be a good one.

Read this book. Now.