Regarding education and raising children, there are two extreme views of human nature. A tragic one that resigns itself to its defects, that considers that children are already born with a quota of genetic success determined mainly by the success of their parents, and another utopian that denies its existence, considering that we are all born as amorphous masses of clay that can be improved by the environment.
For those who consider that the balance is in the middle or, at least, leans favorably towards the parenting side, this book will be very useful. Because The big questions from children and the simple answers from great experts, compiled by Gemma Elwin Harris, contains all kinds of teachings that will make many cultured, critical and curious adult children; and of many adult individuals with a greater predisposition to ask themselves the big questions.
Childhood curiosity
It is said that there are no stupid questions, only idiotic answers, and this book demonstrates both facets of the sentence. The seemingly simple questions are actually pertinent questions that all of us could ask ourselves one day; and the answers have been written by a collection of scientists, philosophers, scholars and dreamers who are among the finest in the intellectual world.
So, questions like Why evil exist?Why do men have beards and women not? Who is God? Why is the sun so hot? Why don't animals talk like us? Why do we cook food? or what can you do if you are on a boat without food and water? These are some of the questions that people such as Richard Dawkins, Noam Chomsky, David Attenborough, Marcus du Sautoy, Alain de Botton, David Crystal, Simon Singh, AC Grayling, Lawrence Krauss, Julian Baggini, John Gribbin try to answer in one or two pages. , Gary Marcus, Clay Shirky, Robin Dunbar... and so on dozens and dozens of authors who have already been reviewed here on more than one occasion.
The questions were collected by the compiler after tracking ten primary schools. Thousands of children between four and twelve years old sent their questions. The best ones were published here. An ideal way to introduce children to the big little questions, or the little big questions. And, also, a form of introduction to the thinking of all the selected authors.
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The news
Books that inspire us: 'Children's big questions and the simple answers from great experts', by Gemma Harris
was originally published in
Xataka Science
by
Sergio Parra
.