Curiosity, Wonder and Museum Education

This paper explores the multiple facets of curiosity stimulated by an exhibition at the Museum of London. The Crime Museum Uncovered displayed real objects used in crimes in London over the past 140 years. Visitors were presented with questions about the exhibits: 'What does it mean to put these objects on public display?' 'In what ways can the display of these objects be educational?' and 'Where do you draw the line?' Or, in the words of some commentators, 'Is this simply another kind of morbid curiosity?' This paper examines these questions in light of Heidegger's notions of curiosity and wonder and the meaning of museum education.