General curiosity:
* Curiosity: This is a general term for the desire to know or learn something. It implies a natural interest in the world.
* Inquisitiveness: This implies a more active and persistent curiosity, a desire to probe and explore.
* Thirst for knowledge: This emphasizes the strong and almost unquenchable desire to learn more.
More specific to seeking reasons and explanations:
* Inquiring mind: This suggests a mind that is always asking questions and seeking answers.
* Analytical: This implies a methodical and systematic approach to understanding things, breaking them down to understand the underlying reasons.
* Investigative: This highlights the active search for information and evidence to understand why things are the way they are.
Focusing on the 'why':
* Philosophical: This implies a deep desire to understand the fundamental nature of things and to seek meaning and purpose.
* Existential: This focuses on the meaning of existence and our place in the universe, driven by a desire to understand the 'why' behind our lives.
The best word to use depends on the specific context and the nuances you want to convey.