René Descartes

9. Which of the following philosophers thought that children rather than adults have a sense of wonder and very often see things as they are.

When contemplating the question of whether children or adults possess a greater sense of wonder and an ability to see things as they truly are, we must first consider the nature of perception itself. The philosopher who believed that children, rather than adults, have a unique ability to perceive the world with a sense of wonder and clarity was none other than Jean-Jacques Rousseau. Rousseau believed that children are born innocent and pure, free from the biases and preconceptions that often cloud the minds of adults. In his famous work, Emile, he argues that children have an innate curiosity and openness to the world around them, allowing them to see things as they truly are without the complexities that come with age and experience. This childlike wonder, according to Rousseau, enables children to view the world through fresh eyes, unburdened by the limitations of adulthood. In contrast, adults, he believed, are often weighed down by their own preconceived notions and societal norms, which hinder their ability to see things with the same clarity and wonder as children. In this way, Rousseau suggests that it is the innocence and purity of children that allows them to possess a more authentic and unfiltered perspective of the world. So, in answer to the question at hand, it is Rousseau's belief that children, rather than adults, possess a sense of wonder and a perceptual clarity that enables them to see things as they truly are.