Although curiosity is an innate capability of many living [[beings]], it cannot be subsumed under category of [[instinct]] because it lacks the [[quality]] of fixed [[action]] [[pattern]]; it is rather one of innate basic emotions because it can be expressed in many flexible ways while instinct is always expressed in a fixed way. Curiosity is common to human beings at all ages from infancy to old age, and is easy to observe in many other [[animal]] species. These include apes, cats, fish, reptiles, and insects; as well as many others. Many aspects of exploration are shared among all beings, as all known terrestrial beings share similar aspects: limited size and a need to seek out food sources. | Although curiosity is an innate capability of many living [[beings]], it cannot be subsumed under category of [[instinct]] because it lacks the [[quality]] of fixed [[action]] [[pattern]]; it is rather one of innate basic emotions because it can be expressed in many flexible ways while instinct is always expressed in a fixed way. Curiosity is common to human beings at all ages from infancy to old age, and is easy to observe in many other [[animal]] species. These include apes, cats, fish, reptiles, and insects; as well as many others. Many aspects of exploration are shared among all beings, as all known terrestrial beings share similar aspects: limited size and a need to seek out food sources. |