8 year old asking deep questions??

[Kel9]

Hi everyone

Looking to see if anybody has faced similar situation.

My son is 8 and I would say he’s a normal (what is normal) happy-go lucky little boy. His dad and I separated when he was 3 but we co parent well and have a routine.

Recently he’s been asking questions like “what’s the point in us all as humans, what’s the point in the world?”

He will say why are we born and what the point in certain objects we buy like rugs and house hold appliances. He’s genuinely intrigued.

I remember when I was little thinking about that too I suppose it’s a faze but has anyone had similar? What’s your response?

I’ve told him that everybody has a purpose on this planet and how we are all lucky to be here. His questions are deep and at times catch me off guard. 🤷‍♀️

Yes, a lot of children are very deep thinkers at that age. The first existential awaking, I suppose.

I just answered to the best of my ability according to what I believe in a way that was appropriate and accessible to them. But you’re right, it does sometimes take you by surprise!

Good I’ve googled it too lol I think I’ll have a wee chat with him later not making it a thing but to maybe help answer some of his questions.

I’m supper proud of him for asking that as I think it’s a deep question but very valid and I suppose as adults we want to know the answers too!

If he is a bright boy give him Sophie's World to read. It's a novel but also talks about the history of philosophy. That might help answer some questions for him (learning how other people in the past had tried to answer those questions) or maybe give him new fuel for questions lol.
The Solitaire Mystery is also good, less heavy and more easily accessible to kids (I received Sophie's World as a gift at 8 but couldn't get through the whole thing until 9 or 10, but I drank up Solitaire Mystery at 7 years old). I prefer the story in Solitaire Mystery (I still read it every other year or so, I think it is my favourite book) but Sophie's World has more philosophy content in it.

I tend to turn it around and ask what they think is the answer. Then just keep asking questions or pointing out contradictions / opposing ideas to make them further explore their own thoughts and insight. I generally find mine are happy with this rather than expecting me to provide an answer. It also means I can’t give a ‘wrong’ answer

I’m amazed you read Sophie’s world at 10. I read it at uni and struggled!

(Intended for aussieadopter)

Yeah it is heavy going lol, I remember I would start it and be keen to finish the whole thing each time but once it got to the parts where Sophie met up with Alberto for her lessons instead of letters there was so little story and so much history to read I would always eventually give up, got too dry and boring. The pull of finding out what the cabin and boat on the lake were about etc kept bringing me back until I did get through it eventually. If you haven't read Solitaire Mystery give it a go. Instead of being 80% philosophy and 20% story like Sophie's World it is more like 90% excellent story and 10% philosophy.

Anyway I think if he is bright enough to be asking these questions he is probably bright enough to have a go at the book.