Wonder is the Antidote to Hatred

In the New York Times article In Praise of Wonder, Simon proposes that “[w]onder is the antidote to hatred.” In particular, if a person (A) wonders at another person (B), then A does not hate B. A is said to wonder at B if and only if A dwells at B in “amazement” and “surprise.” The act of dwelling in amazement is incompatible with the feeling of hatred. To paraphrase, if A dwells at B in amazement, then it is not possible for A to hate B. Therefore, if A wonders at B, then A does not hate B.