现代大学英语精读4--unit6-groundless-beliefs--课件教学教材

1、现代大学英语精读4-unit6-groundless-beliefs-课件Proposition: view, idea, assertionTheir theory is founded on two of their propositions. In future we are going to follow the practiceuntil it becomes a habitof classifying propositions according to their grounds. Classifying propositions according to their ground

2、s is important because people very often base their judgment of propositions according to their popularity, usefulness, source of authority as well as to their personal taste. They do not always accept beliefs because they are true. Often they accept them because their beliefs serve their immediate

3、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 argumentCome across: to meet , to discover sth. or sb. by chance 偶然遇到、发现。be astonished at: be very surprised atmet with: encountered; experiencedclass as: classify assimila

4、r usageto be astonished at; to be surprised at; to be alarmed at; to be amazed at; to be astounded atto class as; to regard as; to describe as; to accept as; to view as; to conceive as; to recognize asThey rest upon mere tradition, or on sb.s bare assertion unsupported by even a shadow of proof They

5、 are only based on tradition, or on somebodys assertion, but are not supported even by the least amount of proof.这些说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bare assertion: strong statements without the su

6、pport of proof bare: a. naked; not covered with or protected by anything; empty; just efficient, meree.g. bare arm/feet walls 没有任何装饰的墙 necessities 最基本的必需品 facts 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。Phrases:with your bare hands: without weapons or toolsba

7、re your soul: to tell your deepest and most private feelingsbare your teeth: to show your teeth in a fierce and threatening waybarefaced: showing that you do not care about offending sb. or about behaving badly 厚颜无耻的、露骨的e.g. a barefaced liea shadow of: the slightest trace of 少许、残余、痕迹e.g. A shadow of

8、 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. It may be a belief whichever since:情况很可能是这样的：我们最初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、非常地Way up north 老远的北方Way ahead (behind)远远在前、远远在后Many of ou

9、r 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e.g. He has six previous convictions for theft.They are strong because they have been in our mind for such a long time. They are strong because

10、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 and loved. firm belief or opinion坚定的坚定的信仰、信仰、But if the staunchest Roman Catholic

11、 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. But if they were exchanged when they were infants and brought up in different homes and under diffe

12、rent 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 influence theyve got from home or other sourcesReverse: to change to the opposite 使反向、使倒转、倒转调换He

13、r 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一样。It is consistent with all our knowledge of psychology to conclude that each would have grown up holding exactly the opposite beliefs to those he holds now We can conclude, based on all our kno

14、wledge 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，我们可以得出结论，根据我们所掌握的心理学知识，我们可以得出结论，两人长大后会持有与现在完全相反的信仰。两人长大后会持有与现在完全相反的信仰。to be consistent: be in agreement with 与。相一致The news report is consistent with the facts.And each would th

15、en have feltof the truth of the opposite opinion:而且，每个人就像他现在一样，对自己的信仰的正确性很有把握-其实那是与他相反的信仰。be true of: can apply to e.g. The proverb it is never too old to learn is true of everyone. Possibly the same is true of social work?社会福利工作可能也是这样的吧？Other than: usually mean except, but here it means apart from.

16、 This usage is not considered standard by many people.If we had grown up in a community 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 mor

17、al and proper. Polygamy, head-hunting, infanticide, gladiatorial fighting and dueling are practiced only in some communities or practiced in certain historical times. They are considered immoral, improper and abnormal elsewhere or in modern times.Knowledge: awarenessThe matter was never brought to t

18、he knowledge of the minister.They did it without my knowledge.To sbs knowledge: 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、观点、情绪 What are your sentiments on this matter?Public sentiment: 公众情绪 Of course we do not cease, when we cease t

19、o be children, to adopt new beliefs on mere suggestions.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当然，当我们长大以后，会继续凭着别人的建议来接受新的观点。新的观点。on: 凭。，凭。， 靠。靠。 ，根据。，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。他们根据他

20、的报告做出自己的判断。We continue doing it:We still adopt new beliefs on mere suggestion.to take only the most striking examples, the enormous influence of newspapers and the effectiveness of skilful advertising. Striking: A striking change显著的变化显著的变化A striking instance 突出的例子突出的例子The girl is striking in face an

21、d figure.For example, we are still easy and often willing victims of newspapers and advertising.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 A leader as such deserves obedience. He is the author of the article, but he does not

22、 want to be known as such. 2. 就其本身而言就其本身而言 Mere good looks, as such, will not take you far. A name as such means nothing. Pass: 被接受被接受1.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。To fit in with: to say the same thing or follow the same principle; to agree with适合、符合、与。相配To fit in with sbs view 与

23、某人的观点相符Suchas:像。这样的 （as 做关系代词，引导定语从句）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）The dogma may not be that that of any particular individual: it may be a dogmatic statement which has been

24、passed from one person to another, from generation to generation. 这种信条可能不是某个特定个人的观点，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。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

25、world in a unique approach, also tends to limit his/her vision.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. 不过我们应该面对

26、这样一个事实：那些仅仅是从过去传不过我们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，一个观点于今天。因此，一个观点“由来已久由来已久”（因而我们因该（因而我们因该接受它）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.Inherita. to receive (propert

27、y or a title) from an ancestor by legal succession or willb. to receive or take over from a predecessorc. to receive (a characteristic) from ones parents or grandparents by genetic transmission The eldest son will inherit the title. The new administration inherited the economic problems from the pre

28、vious one. inherit the traditionShe inherited her mothers good looks and her fathers bad temper.Originate: Many Christmas traditions originated in Germany. in sbs favor: in sbs support; to sbs advantage, to sbs benefit 受其支持；对某受其支持；对某人有利人有利All the comments were in your favor.find oneself doing sth.:

29、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、 接受思想、观点等接受思想、观点等She has never entertained the idea of living in

30、the countryside.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、令人不快的不合意的、令人不快的The drug has undesirable side effects. 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。wick

31、ed: morally bad; evil; in Spoken English it can mean mischievous 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 unfriendliness tempted me to leave the party.他们不友好的态度使我很想离开这次聚会。break down: to cease to be useful; to fail to function

32、; to stop being acceptable失败、失效His health has broken down.Negotiations broke down after only two days. (破裂）in the light of: in consideration of; as a result of 鉴于、由于、考虑到He made his decision in the light of what he had heard.Examples of such cases （in par 8): We used to regard the following as obviou

33、s truth: that the sun moves round the earth; the earth is flat; the air is weightless; there is always a king; men are always stronger than women; etc Conceive: to imagine a particular situation or to think about sth. in a particular way 构想出、想象、设想、以为To conceive an ideaI cant conceive why you did so.

34、Shake off: to get rid offI wish I could shake off this disease.Many modern persons find it very difficult to credit the fact that men can ever have supposed otherwise. Yetthey did. credit the fact: believe the factotherwise: differentlyParaphrase: Many modern people are hard to believe that for some

35、 time men had ever thought they were thinking with their hearts. Yet it is true that the ancient people really thought in that way.Credit: (fml.) to believe that sth. is true 相信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The government c

36、laims that the economy is improving, but this survey suggests otherwise.Reference: 引文；提到、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。Beyond possibility: impossibleBeyond doubt: completely certainDemonstrate the contrary: to prove that the contrary is true by me

37、ans of a demonstration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。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 contrary was true by means of a demonstrati

38、on. on the ground of根据。、以。为理由根据。、以。为理由 on the ground thatground: the foundation for an argument, a belief, or an action; a basis理由、根据理由、根据 Jane was late on the ground of the heavy traffic. Tom left on the ground that he was ill.Consist in: to be based on or depend on主要是、在于Happiness does not consist

39、in how many possessions you have; it consists in appreciating what you have.Wisdom consists in learning from our own mistakes.leave no room for doubt: to make it impossible for people to doubtcling to: to be unwilling to get rid of sth., or stop doing sth.e.g. Throughout the trial she had clung to t

40、he 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 sthe.g. It pays to tell people the truth. It pays to forgive others. It doesnt pay to work too hard at the expense of your health. Concerned: involved in sth. or affected by

41、 it 有关的He urged all the employees concerned to take an active part in the drive.他敦促所有有关的职工积极参与这项活动。is about the last person to do sth: is the least possible person to do sthIndeed, he would probably be highly indignant if told of what anyone familiar with modern psychology can recognize so plainly.

42、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 with modern psychology can recognize very easily.Attribute （to): to relate to a particular cause or source; attribute sth. to 把。归因于把。归因于 David attributed hi

43、s companys success to the unity of all the staff and their persevering hard work. Potent: effective and powerful 有效地、强有效地、强有力的、有说服力的有力的、有说服力的 Potent arguments 有说服力的论据有说服力的论据Livelihood:Earn / gain / get / make ones livelihood byBut the meaning of this term might be understood in a broader sense. It m

44、ay include his concern for position, popularity, fame, respect, love, etc.这个词的意义还可以引申到包括一个人的社会地位、在同这个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。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 hi

45、s fellows; the respect and goodwill of those whose respect and goodwill he values. extend the meaning of the word延伸该词的意义，以涵盖延伸该词的意义，以涵盖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

46、is many a man who is unconsciously compelled to cling to a belief because he 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 otherPutting it broadly, we shoul

47、d always suspect any of our opinions when we recognize that our happiness 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

48、 be suspicious about these opinions and try to find out whether we are not being blinded by our self-interest.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

49、an opinion through the desire is also the same case. The 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. justifya

50、. to prove to be just, right or valid b. to be a good reason for sth. 证明。是着正当的、有道理的证明。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.The lazy and stupid person can readily

51、 a d o p t a s e t o f o p i n i o n s w i t h o u t 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 satisfac

52、tion that “the grapes are sour”the “grape” being 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 unobtainableMany groundless opinions are held through sentimental associations. The thought is as

53、sociated with memoriespleasant or unpleasant 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

54、）。思想与记忆与记忆或美好或痛苦或美好或痛苦相连，这些记忆涉及某些特相连，这些记忆涉及某些特定的人，他们持有类似的观点。定的人，他们持有类似的观点。Be prejudiced against: to have an unreasonable dislike of 对。有偏见Conversely:Chinese consumers prefer chicken wings. Conversely, British consumers prefer chicken breast.recollection: memory; a thing that you remember from the pas

55、te.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 ite.g. I dont recollect what she said then. Bitter:1. 充满怨恨、仇恨、不满情绪的Bitter f

56、oe 仇敌2. （争论、斗争等）激烈的；仇恨等强烈的A bitter dispute 激烈的争执Bitter hatred刻骨的仇恨3. 流露心头痛苦、悔恨等的Bitter smileBitter tears悔恨的眼泪If we dislike or envy a person, we will tend to disregard or attack his opinions, from which we may acquire a strong satisfaction.What keen satisfaction we find in belittling the opinions, or

57、 attacking the opinions, of somebody of whom we are jealous, or of somebody against whom we bear a grudge! strong satisfactionkeen: eager; enthusiastic about; e.g. He is very keen to help. She is one of the keenest supporters of that team.keen is also often used before noun, it could mean quick to u

58、nderstand, strong or deep, or very sensitive or sharp a keen mind/intellect keen interest/satisfaction keen sense of smell My friend has a keen eye for a bargain.Dispose: to put in a place; arrange布置、安排、处理；使愿意，布置、安排、处理；使愿意，dispose sb to do sth: to make sb more likely to fell or think a particular wa

59、y about sth 使某人愿意做某事或有做某事的倾向。Your words of cheer dispose me to accept the task.你的一番鼓励使我愿意接受这一任务。你的一番鼓励使我愿意接受这一任务。dispose of sb./sth.: to get red of; to destroy; to deal with Can you dispose of all these old newspapers?To take one example: how largely our opinions on the merits of certain authors, or

60、 poets, or composers, are dictated merely by fashion!. We tend very strongly to feel and to believe as others are feeling and believing. Our opinions of authors, poets and c o m p o s e r s a r e t o a l a r g e e x t e n t determined by fashion. And as fashions come and go, our opinions also change