现代大学英语精读4--unit6-groundless-beliefs--课件讲课教案

1、 Groundless Beliefs第一页，共91页。 ground: (usu. pl.) the foundation / underlying condition for an argument, a belief, or an action; a cause or good reason for sth. What were his grounds for wanting a divorce? Neither statement can be faulted on the grounds that it is inaccurate. (Lesson 3) On the grounds

2、 of sth.: 根据(gnj)。、以。为理由 He resigned on the grounds of ill-health. groundless: not based on reason or evidence groundless optimism Our fears proved groundless.第二页，共91页。 Proposition: view, idea, assertion Their theory is founded on two of their propositions.第三页，共91页。 In future we are going to follow

3、the practiceuntil it becomes a habitof classifying propositions according to their grounds. Classifying propositions according to their grounds is important because people very often base their judgment of propositions according to their popularity, usefulness, source of authority as well as to thei

4、r personal taste. They do not always accept beliefs because they are true. Often they accept them because their beliefs serve their immediate purpose, or because they sound nice, or because it is easier or safer to accept them.take this practice as a guidea base for an argument第四页，共91页。 Come across:

5、 to meet , to discover sth. or sb. by chance 偶然遇到(y do)、发现。第五页，共91页。 be astonished at: be very surprised at met with: encountered; experienced class as: classify as similar usage to be astonished at; to be surprised at; to be alarmed at; to be amazed at; to be astounded at to class as; to regard as;

6、 to describe as; to accept as; to view as; to conceive as; to recognize as第六页，共91页。They rest upon mere tradition, or on sb.s bare assertion unsupported by even a shadow of proof They are only based on tradition, or on somebodys assertion, but are not supported even by the least amount of proof.这 些 说

7、 法 仅 仅 是 基 于 传 统 或 者 是 一 些 人 毫 无 证 据这 些 说 法 仅 仅 是 基 于 传 统 或 者 是 一 些 人 毫 无 证 据(zhngj)的断言。的断言。strong statements without the support of proof the slightest trace of to be based on 基于基于(jy)第七页，共91页。 bare assertion: strong statements without the support of proof bare: a. naked; not covered with or protec

8、ted by anything; empty; just efficient, mere e.g. bare arm/feet walls 没有任何没有任何(rnh)装饰的墙装饰的墙 necessities 最基本的必需品最基本的必需品 facts 纯粹的事实纯粹的事实 the bare branches of winter trees The fridge was completely bare. 冰箱里一点吃的也没有。冰箱里一点吃的也没有。第八页，共91页。 Phrases: with your bare hands: without weapons or tools bare your

9、soul: to tell your deepest and most private feelings bare your teeth: to show your teeth in a fierce and threatening way barefaced: showing that you do not care about offending sb. or about behaving badly 厚颜无耻厚颜无耻(hu yn w ch)的、露骨的的、露骨的 e.g. a barefaced lie第九页，共91页。 a shadow of: the slightest trace o

10、f 少许少许(shox)、残余、痕迹、残余、痕迹 e.g. A shadow of a smile touched his mouth. There is not a shadow of justification for your behavior. She knew beyond a shadow of doubt that he was lying. 第十页，共91页。 It may be a belief whichever since: 情况很可能是这样的：我们最初(zuch)仅仅因为别人的建议而接受了一个观点，而在那以后就一直持有（坚持）这种观点。 Way: far 远远地、大大地

11、、非常地 Way up north 老远的北方 Way ahead (behind) 远远在前、远远在后第十一页，共91页。Many of our strongest convictions were established then. Conviction: could also mean the judgment of a jury or judge that a person is guilty of a crime as charged定罪定罪(dn zu)e.g. He has six previous convictions for theft.They are strong be

12、cause they have been in our mind for such a long time. They are strong because they were imprinted on our mind when we were little children, before we were able to judge for ourselves. They are strong because they were passed on to us during our most formative years and often by people we trusted an

13、d loved. firm belief or opinion坚定坚定(jindng)的信仰、的信仰、第十二页，共91页。But if the staunchest Roman Catholic and the staunchest Presbyterian had been exchanged when infants, and if they had been brought up with home and all other influences reserved, we can have little doubt what the result would have been. Bu

14、t if they were exchanged when they were infants and brought up in different homes and under different influences, then the staunchest Roman Catholic would be the staunchest Presbyterian, and vice versa. This shows that our beliefs are largely influenced by our surroundings.by exchanging all kinds of

15、 influence theyve got from home or other sources第十三页，共91页。 Reverse: to change to the opposite 使反向、使倒转、倒转调换 Her father would be thinking exactly the same way were their positions reversed. 如果他父亲与她把位置倒置过来，他父亲也会与她的想法完全(wnqun)一样。第十四页，共91页。It is consistent with all our knowledge of psychology to conclude

16、 that each would have grown up holding exactly the opposite beliefs to those he holds now We can conclude, based on all our knowledge of psychology, that each would have grown up having exactly the opposite beliefs to what they have now.根据我们所掌握的心理学知识根据我们所掌握的心理学知识(zh shi)，我们可以得，我们可以得出结论，两人长大后会持有与现在完全

17、相反的信仰。出结论，两人长大后会持有与现在完全相反的信仰。第十五页，共91页。 to be consistent: be in agreement with 与。相一致 The news report is consistent with the facts.第十六页，共91页。 And each would then have feltof the truth of the opposite opinion: 而且，每个人就像他现在一样，对自己(zj)的信仰的正确性很有把握-其实那是与他相反的信仰。第十七页，共91页。 be true of: can apply to e.g. The pr

18、overb it is never too old to learn is true of everyone. Possibly the same is true of social work? 社会福利社会福利(sh hu f l)工作可能也是这样的工作可能也是这样的吧？吧？ Other than: usually mean except, but here it means apart from. This usage is not considered standard by many people.第十八页，共91页。If we had grown up in a community

19、where polygamy or head-hunting, or infanticide, or gladiatorial fighting, or dueling, was regarded as the normal and natural thingthen we should have grown up to regard it as “obviously” natural and perfectly moral and proper. Polygamy, head-hunting, infanticide, gladiatorial fighting and dueling ar

20、e practiced only in some communities or practiced in certain historical times. They are considered immoral, improper and abnormal elsewhere or in modern times.第十九页，共91页。 Knowledge: awareness The matter was never brought to the knowledge of the minister. They did it without my knowledge. To sbs knowl

21、edge: 据某人所知 He has been there several times to my knowledge. Sentiment: an opinion or feeling you have about sth. 意见(y jin)、观点、情绪 What are your sentiments on this matter? Public sentiment: 公众情绪第二十页，共91页。 Of course we do not cease, when we cease to be children, to adopt new beliefs on mere suggestion

22、s.Of course when we are no longer children, we do not stop adopting new beliefs on mere suggestion. 当然，当我们长大以后，会继续凭着别人的建议来接受(jishu)新的观点。on: 凭。， 靠。 ，根据。They made their own judgment on his report.他们根据他的报告做出自己的判断。第二十一页，共91页。 We continue doing it: We still adopt new beliefs on mere suggestion.第二十二页，共91页

23、。to take only the most striking examples, the enormous influence of newspapers and the effectiveness of skilful advertising. Striking: A striking change显著显著(xinzh)的变化的变化A striking instance 突出的例子突出的例子The girl is striking in face and figure.For example, we are still easy and often willing victims of n

24、ewspapers and advertising.第二十三页，共91页。Much of what passes as such is not, strictly, thinking at all. what people take as thinkingAs such: 如所指的人或事那样如所指的人或事那样(nyng) A leader as such deserves obedience. He is the author of the article, but he does not want to be known as such.2. 就其本身而言就其本身而言Mere good lo

25、oks, as such, will not take you far.A name as such means nothing. Pass: 被接受被接受严格说来，许多类似被人们接受的东西完全不是思想。严格说来，许多类似被人们接受的东西完全不是思想。第二十四页，共91页。 To fit in with: to say the same thing or follow the same principle; to agree with 适合(shh)、符合、与。相配 To fit in with sbs view 与某人的观点相符 Suchas:像。这样的 （as 做关系代词，引导定语从句）

26、I never heard such stories as he tells. (as 在从句中作宾语） He returned to us later in the day with tobacco, matches, and such provisions as were needed. (as 在从句中做主语）第二十五页，共91页。 The dogma may not be that that of any particular individual: it may be a dogmatic statement which has been passed from one person

27、 to another, from generation to generation. 这种信条可能不是某个(mu )特定个人的观点，可能是一个人传给另一个人，一代一代传下来的教条性的的观点。第二十六页，共91页。It may be part of the traditional belief of the people or the race. A persons racial, cultural, national, political, class, gender, generation identity, while enabling him/her to see the world

28、in a unique approach, also tends to limit his/her vision.第二十七页，共91页。But we should fully face the fact that beliefs which are merely inherited from the past must have originated at a time when men knew much less than they know today. So the fact that a belief is “old” is no argument in its favor. 不过我

29、们不过我们(w men)应该面对这样一个事实：那些仅仅是从过应该面对这样一个事实：那些仅仅是从过去传承下来的观点在其起源的时侯，人类对世界的认识远少于去传承下来的观点在其起源的时侯，人类对世界的认识远少于今天。因此，一个观点今天。因此，一个观点“由来已久由来已久”（因而我们（因而我们(w men)因该因该接受它）并不是站得住脚的论点。接受它）并不是站得住脚的论点。The implication: one of our common mistakes is to accept beliefs simply on the merit of their long history.第二十八页，共91页

30、。 Inherit a. to receive (property or a title) from an ancestor by legal succession or will b. to receive or take over from a predecessor c. to receive (a characteristic) from ones parents or grandparents by genetic transmission The eldest son will inherit the title. The new administration inherited

31、the economic problems from the previous one. inherit the traditionShe inherited her mothers good looks and her fathers bad temper.第二十九页，共91页。 Originate: Many Christmas traditions originated in Germany. in sbs favor: in sbs support; to sbs advantage, to sbs benefit 受其支持受其支持(zhch)；对某人有利对某人有利 All the c

32、omments were in your favor.第三十页，共91页。 find oneself doing sth.: to realize that one is unconsciously doing sth. 发现自己在无发现自己在无意识地做某事意识地做某事 Dick found himself walking in the direction of Mikes place. Entertain: to consider an idea, etc. or allow yourself to think that sth. Might happen or be true 考虑、考虑、

33、 接受思想接受思想(sxing)、观点等、观点等 She has never entertained the idea of living in the countryside.第三十一页，共91页。 enquire (or: inquire) into: to find out more information about; to investigate调查调查 The police inquired into her background. Undesirable: 不合意的、令人不快不合意的、令人不快(bkui)的的 The drug has undesirable side effec

34、ts. 该药又不良的副作用。该药又不良的副作用。 He called at the most undesirable moment. 他在最不该来的时候来了。他在最不该来的时候来了。 wicked: morally bad; evil; in Spoken English it can mean mischievous 第三十二页，共91页。 Tempt: to persuade or attract (someone ) to do sth.; make (someone) want to do sth. I feel tempted to say: 我想要说。 Their unfriend

35、liness tempted me to leave the party. 他们不友好的态度使我很想离开这次(zh c)聚会。第三十三页，共91页。 break down: to cease to be useful; to fail to function; to stop being acceptable失败失败(shbi)、失效、失效 His health has broken down. Negotiations broke down after only two days. (破裂）破裂） in the light of: in consideration of; as a resu

36、lt of 鉴于、由于、考虑到鉴于、由于、考虑到 He made his decision in the light of what he had heard.第三十四页，共91页。 Examples of such cases （in par 8): We used to regard the following as obvious truth: that the sun moves round the earth; the earth is flat; the air is weightless; there is always a king; men are always strong

37、er than women; etc 第三十五页，共91页。 Conceive: to imagine a particular situation or to think about sth. in a particular way 构想出、想象(xingxing)、设想、以为 To conceive an idea I cant conceive why you did so. Shake off: to get rid off I wish I could shake off this disease.第三十六页，共91页。 Many modern persons find it ver

38、y difficult to credit the fact that men can ever have supposed otherwise. Yetthey did. credit the fact: believe the fact otherwise: differently Paraphrase: Many modern people are hard to believe that for some time men had ever thought they were thinking with their hearts. Yet it is true that the anc

39、ient people really thought in that way.第三十七页，共91页。 Credit: (fml.) to believe that sth. is true 相信相信(xingxn) I can credit all that you are telling me. We found his story hard to credit. Otherwise: differently 不同地、以不同方式不同地、以不同方式 The government claims that the economy is improving, but this survey sugg

40、ests otherwise.第三十八页，共91页。Reference: 引文；提到引文；提到(t do)、论及、论及His book on history contains many references to George Washington.他的那部历史论著有很多处论及。他的那部历史论著有很多处论及。Beyond possibility: impossibleBeyond doubt: completely certainDemonstrate the contrary: to prove that the contrary is true by means of a demonstr

41、ation在伽利略通过事实证明其完全相反之前，没有那在伽利略通过事实证明其完全相反之前，没有那个观点看起来比这个更不可能或更毋容置疑。个观点看起来比这个更不可能或更毋容置疑。第三十九页，共91页。 Until Galileo actually demonstrated the contrary, nothing could have seemed more beyond possibility or doubt. It would never be questioned or doubted if there was no Galileo who proved that the contrar

42、y was true by means of a demonstration. 第四十页，共91页。 on the ground of根据根据(gnj)。、以。、以。为理由为理由 on the ground that ground: the foundation for an argument, a belief, or an action; a basis理由、根据理由、根据(gnj) Jane was late on the ground of the heavy traffic. Tom left on the ground that he was ill.第四十一页，共91页。 Con

43、sist in: to be based on or depend on 主要主要(zhyo)是、在于是、在于 Happiness does not consist in how many possessions you have; it consists in appreciating what you have. Wisdom consists in learning from our own mistakes.第四十二页，共91页。 leave no room for doubt: to make it impossible for people to doubt cling to: t

44、o be unwilling to get rid of sth., or stop doing sth. e.g. Throughout the trial she had clung to the belief that he was innocent. He had one last hope to cling on to. pay sb to do sth: to bring benefit or advantage to sb to do sth e.g. It pays to tell people the truth. It pays to forgive others. It

45、doesnt pay to work too hard at the expense of your health. 第四十三页，共91页。 Concerned: involved in sth. or affected by it 有关的有关的 He urged all the employees concerned to take an active part in the drive. 他敦促所有他敦促所有(suyu)有关的职工积极参与这项有关的职工积极参与这项活动。活动。 is about the last person to do sth: is the least possible

46、 person to do sth第四十四页，共91页。Indeed, he would probably be highly indignant if told of what anyone familiar with modern psychology can recognize so plainly. He would surely feel furious if someone told him a plain fact that he had held some beliefs through self-interest, which anyone who is familiar w

47、ith modern psychology can recognize very easily.第四十五页，共91页。 Attribute （to): to relate to a particular cause or source; attribute sth. to 把。归因于把。归因于 David attributed his companys success to the unity of all the staff and their persevering hard work. Potent: effective and powerful 有效有效(yuxio)地、强有力的、有说

48、服力的地、强有力的、有说服力的 Potent arguments 有说服力的论据有说服力的论据第四十六页，共91页。 Livelihood: Earn / gain / get / make ones livelihood by第四十七页，共91页。But the meaning of this term might be understood in a broader sense. It may include his concern for position, popularity, fame, respect, love, etc.这个这个(zh ge)词的意义还可以引申到包括一个人的社

49、会地位、在词的意义还可以引申到包括一个人的社会地位、在同事中的声望以及来自他所重视的人的尊重和友善。同事中的声望以及来自他所重视的人的尊重和友善。(interest not only in the material senseBut we may extend the term to cover also his interest in social position; popularity with his fellows; the respect and goodwill of those whose respect and goodwill he values. extend the m

50、eaning of the word延伸延伸(ynshn)该词的意义，以涵盖该词的意义，以涵盖第四十八页，共91页。Many people are forced to hold a belief because he has become an important person in his group. If he gave up that belief, he would turn insignificant at once.There is many a man who is unconsciously compelled to cling to a belief because he

51、is a “somebody” in some circleand if he were to abandon that belief, he would find himself nobody at all. There are many peoplean important person in a certain group of people who know each other第四十九页，共91页。Putting it broadly, we should always suspect any of our opinions when we recognize that our ha

52、ppiness depends, directly or indirectly, upon our continuing to hold themwhen we might lose anything, material or otherwise by changing our opinion. If by changing our opinions we might lose something and therefore be unhappy, we must be suspicious about these opinions and try to find out whether we

53、 are not being blinded by our self-interest.第五十页，共91页。Somewhat similar is the acceptance of an opinion through the desireprobably not recognized by the person concernedto justify his own nature, his own position, or his own behaviour.Accepting an opinion through the desire is also the same case. The

54、 desire of defending our weaknesses, mistakes, vulnerable positions or wrongdoings becomes another factor to accept a groundless opinion easily. Here it is no longer the interest to gain but the interest to avoid losing certain things.第五十一页，共91页。 justifya. to prove to be just, right or valid b. to b

55、e a good reason for sth. 证明证明(zhngmng)。是着正当的、有道理的。是着正当的、有道理的 为。辩护为。辩护The course of events fully justifies our views.The fine quality of the cloth justifies its high price.I cannot really justify taking another day off work.第五十二页，共91页。The lazy and stupid person can readily adopt a set of opinions wit

56、hout questioning why, since they clearly know that these opinions are unobtainable to them, only people who have energy and ability can be rewarded with these opinions.The lazy and bungling person can adopt a set of opinions which prove to his satisfaction that “the grapes are sour”the “grape” being

57、 the rewards that more energetic and competent men can win. an idiom describing those people who pretend to dislike what one really desires, because it is unobtainable第五十三页，共91页。Many groundless opinions are held through sentimental associations. The thought is associated with memoriespleasant or unp

58、leasant as the case may beof particular persons who held similar opinions. Very often we like or dislike an opinion because it is held by somebody we like or dislike. 许多毫无根据的观点仅仅是因为情感方面的联系而被人们许多毫无根据的观点仅仅是因为情感方面的联系而被人们坚持坚持 (许多毫无根据的观点起因于与情感的联系）。思想许多毫无根据的观点起因于与情感的联系）。思想与记忆与记忆(jy)或美好或痛苦或美好或痛苦相连，这些记忆相连，这

59、些记忆(jy)涉及某些特定的人，他们持有类似的观点。涉及某些特定的人，他们持有类似的观点。第五十四页，共91页。 Be prejudiced against: to have an unreasonable dislike of 对。有偏见(pinjin) Conversely: Chinese consumers prefer chicken wings. Conversely, British consumers prefer chicken breast.第五十五页，共91页。 recollection: memory; a thing that you remember from th

60、e past e.g. have a vivid/vague recollection of sth. I have no recollection of meeting her before. To the best of my recollection I was not present at that meeting. recollect: v. to remember sth., esp. by making an effort to remember it e.g. I dont recollect what she said then. 第五十六页，共91页。 Bitter: 1.