A sustained desire to understand ideas, evidence, and how things work.
Reach for it when praising learning motivated by genuine questions rather than status
Intellectual curiosity led the mechanic to study why the older joint had lasted longer.
| playful | |
|---|---|
| everyday | |
| warm |
|
| professional | |
| formal | |
| literary |
playful
questioning spirit
Fits when friendly praise should emphasize readiness to ask why
Careful Questioning spirit can imply reflexive doubt rather than constructive learning.
everyday
love of learning
Fits when affection for acquiring knowledge is the central feeling
Careful Love of learning may favor familiar study without challenging assumptions.
warm
Fits when questions arise readily across many subjects
Careful Inquisitiveness can include personal curiosity that has no intellectual aim.
professional
Fits when new evidence can alter a person's view
Careful Open-mindedness is receptivity, not the active desire to investigate.
formal
scholarly interest
Fits when sustained attention belongs to an academic field
Careful Scholarly interest is narrower and may be professionally required.
literary
Fits when awe and surprise animate the desire to know
Careful Wonder is emotional and can remain without disciplined inquiry.
intellectual curiosity
Intellectual curiosity made the unanswered result more interesting than a neat conclusion.
deep intellectual curiosity
Her deep intellectual curiosity crossed the boundaries between craft and chemistry.
foster intellectual curiosity
The workshop aims to foster intellectual curiosity by letting participants test competing explanations.
Keep in mind
Curiosity alone does not establish rigor, humility, or careful use of sources.
Definitions and examples are written for this site. How words are chosen Updated
Your browser isn't saving lists, so this one will be cleared when you leave the page.