Surprise, Amazement, Astonishment, Affright

This essay thematizes the phenomena 'surprise', 'amazement' and 'astonishment' in various aspects. On the one hand the philosophical understandings of these phenomena are described, starting with the beginning of philosophy and ending with contemporary philosophical understandings. Further more the dialectic process of 'being amazed' and of 'being not amazed any more' is spelled out, especially with regard to a history of knowledge. At last the essay tries to detect the phenomena of 'surprise' and 'astonishment' in psychotic experiences.