Lesson3GroundlessBeliefs.pptx

Unit 3Unit 3 GROUNDLESS BELIEFSA.E.ManderWarm-upWarm-upI.Aristotle&Galileo II.Warming-up Questions III.Do You Know?IV.Warming-up Activities Aristotle.Aristotle.lived from 384322 B.C.,lived from 384322 B.C.,a pupil of Plato,a pupil of Plato,another Greek philosopher.another Greek philosopher.was a tutor of Alexander the Great.was a tutor of Alexander the Great.his authorship includes works on ethics,his authorship includes works on ethics,logic,metaphysics,natural sciences,logic,metaphysics,natural sciences,politics,and poetry.politics,and poetry.Some say he had a profound influenceSome say he had a profound influenceon current Western thought.on current Western thought.his philosophical system theory followshis philosophical system theory followsempirical observation and logicempirical observation and logicthe essential method of rational inquiry.the essential method of rational inquiry.Aristotle(384 B.C.322 B.C.):Aristotle(384 B.C.322 B.C.):Aristotle(384 B.C.322 B.C.):Aristotle(384 B.C.322 B.C.):I.Aristotle VS.GalileoI.Aristotle VS.Galileo Galileo(15641642)vGalileo was an astronomer and mathematician,born in Pisa,Italy.vHe entered Pisa University as a medical student in 1581,and became professor of mathematics at Padua(15921610),where he improved the refracting telescope(1610),and was the first to use it for astronomy.vAmong his other discoveries were the law of uniformly accelerated motion towards the Earth and the law that all bodies have weight.Do we really know what we are doing and what we are thinking?Are we sure that all the beliefs we hold with conviction and accept without question are really true or well-grounded?What constitutes adequate grounds for beliefs?II.Warming-up QuestionsIII.Do You Know?III.Do You Know?Belief Do not accept anything on mere hearsay It is your inner judgment that you must obey Do not accept anything by mere tradition Think for yourself and from your opposition Do not accept anything on account of mere rumors In this life,do not be a blind and mindless consumer Do not accept anything by mere suppositions Find the truth,the right,the definitionDo not accept anything merely because it agrees with your pre-conceived notions This is a higher belief you are searching for,put aside your emotions Do not accept anything merely because it seems acceptable Be strong in your own verdict,do not be so susceptible Choose one of these beliefsbeliefs and talk about them in your familiar aspectsCommunism,theCommunistPartyofChinaBuddhismReligionBeliefsHistoryConfucianismConfuciusBeliefsDaoismDaoistBeliefsChristianityJesusChristChristianSomeotherbeliefsgive a simple feature of your chosen beliefGroup DiscussionIV.Warming-up ActivitiesIVWarming-up Activities I.Catholic BeliefII.Presbyterian BeliefIII.William JamesIV.The Principles of PsychologyV.Headhunting in South AsiaVI.Gladiatorial GamesBackground InformationBackground InformationText AppreciationText Appreciation1.About the text and the author2.Text Structure3.ThemeAbout the text and the author The present text is taken from Logic for the Millions by AEMander,published by The Philosophical Library，New York，1947 A.E.Mander is an English psychologist,he writes many books,such as Our Sham Democracy,Psychology for everyman and woman,Alarming Australia and so on.Part 1(Para.1)about:Part 2(Paras.221)about:Part 3(Paras.2225)about:Text Structure The authors proposition of the general practice of thinking The authors analysis of five non-rational factors in the determination of peoples opinionsThe end of Text Structure.The authors encouragement on clear,fresh and rational ways of thinking Structure of the TextMander lists five sources for many of our groundless beliefs(2-21)：1)Result of early environment；(2-3)2)Parroting；(4-13)3)Self-interest；(14-17)4)Sentimental associations；(18-19)5)Fashion(19-21)The end of Theme.uTheme of the story:The article is meant to serve as a suggestive example of a curious,inquiring mind at work.uIt encourages us to find out how we came by our beliefs and manage to be bold enough to test our beliefs.ThemeI.I.Text AnalysisText AnalysisI think，I believe，Im convinced，Im sure，It goes without saying，Its crystal clear，Its as simple as ABC，No doubt，etcDo thinking as a habitWe cannot avoid thinking，rightly or wrongly.II.Warming-up QuestionsWarm-up questionWarm-up questionWhat are the ways for people to classify their views?PopularityUsefulnessSource of authorityPersonal tasteGroundground:(usu.pl.)the foundation/underlying condition for an argument,a cause or good reason for sth.根据根据,理由，原因理由，原因e.g.1.What were his grounds for wanting a divorce?2.Neither statement can be faulted on the grounds that it is inaccurate.groundless:a.not based on reason or evidencee.g.groundless optimism Your fear is proved to be groundless.On the grounds of sth.:根据根据 以以为理由为理由He resigned on the grounds of ill-health.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 grounds 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 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 偶然遇到偶然遇到 发现发现be astonished at:be very surprised atmet with:encountered;experiencedclass as:classify assimilar 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 (1)They are only based on tradition,or on somebodys assertion,but are not supported even by the least amount of proof.这这些些说说法法仅仅仅仅是是基基于于传传统统或或者者是是一一些些人人毫毫无无证证据据的断言。的断言。strong statements without the support of proof the slightest trace of to be based on 基于基于bare:a.naked;not covered with or protected by anything;empty;just efficient,mere e.g.bare arm/feet/wall/facts the bare branches of winter trees.The fridge was completely bare.Phrases:with your bare hands:without weapons or tools bare your soul:to tell your deepest and most private feelings bare your teeth:to show your teeth in a fierce and threatening waybarefaced:a.公然的，厚颜无耻的，不戴面具的 e.g.a barefaced liea shadow of:the slightest trace of少许、残少许、残余、痕迹余、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.It may be a belief whichever since(2)情况很可能是这样的：我们最初仅仅因为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。后就一直持有（坚持）这种观点。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 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、Christianity 基督教基督教Catholicism天主教天主教罗马公教罗马公教Orthodox Church东正教东正教Protestantism新教新教Presbyterian长老教长老教Congregationalists 公理宗公理宗Methodists 循道宗循道宗Reformed Church加尔文宗加尔文宗归正宗归正宗Episcopal Church 安立甘宗安立甘宗圣公会圣公会Lutheran Church路德宗路德宗信义宗信义宗 Reverse:to change to the opposite 使反向、使倒转、倒转调换使反向、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。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 knowledge of psychology,that each would have grown up having exactly the opposite beliefs to what they have now.根根据据我我们们所所掌掌握握的的心心理理学学知知识识，我我们们可可以以得得出出结结论论，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。And each would then have feltof the truth of the opposite opinion:而且，每个人就像他现在一样，对自己的信仰而且，每个人就像他现在一样，对自己的信仰的正确性很有把握的正确性很有把握-其实那是与他相反的信仰。其实那是与他相反的信仰。The same thing is true,of course,of many beliefs other than those of a religious nature.be true of:can apply to e.g.The proverb it is never too old to learn is true of everyone.社会服务工作可能也是这样的吧？社会服务工作可能也是这样的吧？Possibly the same is true of social work/service?other than:here means apart from;the traditional meaning is excepte.g.I dont know any French people other than you.Polygamy refers to the conditions of a man having more than one wife/concubine or a woman having more than one husband at the same time.Its practice existed in many cultures in ancient times and in fact still does in some cultures today although mostly among wealthy people.However now it is considered barbarous in many countries and is prohibited by the law.monogamy n.一夫一妻一夫一妻polyandry n.一妻多夫一妻多夫headhunting:n.the practice of obtaining and preserving the heads of ones enemies 猎头猎头headhunt:v.to find sb.who is suitable for a senior job and persuade them to leave their present job 猎头猎头e.g.He was headhunted by a world 500 company.Infanticide cide:to cut infanticide fratricideinsecticidematricidepatricidesuicide杀婴杀婴杀害兄弟姐妹者杀害兄弟姐妹者杀虫剂杀虫剂杀母者杀母者杀父者杀父者自杀自杀Question:Give examples of our most deeply-rooted and fundamental convictions that we happen to have been“brought up”to them.1.Money is dirty.2.Man will struggle to conquer nature.3.Many hands make light work.4.We must save every penny to support our national reconstruction.5.China is a large country with abundant natural resources.Discussion(Para.4)Discussion(Para.4)Why people are not easy to develop and accept new ideas?1.natural tendency to be lazy2.dangerous water(the fear of the unknown)3.saving of face(their old ideas may wrong)Of course we do not cease,when we cease to 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。议来接受新的观点。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。他们根据他的报告做出自己的判断。Much of what passes as such is not,strictly,thinking at all.what people take as thinkingAs such:1.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 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。The dogma may not be that of any particular individual:it may be a dogmatic statement which has been 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一个人传给另一个人，一代一代传下来的教条性的的观点。的观点。Dogma n.Theology A doctrine or a corpus of doctrines relating to matters such as morality and faith,set forth by a church.【神学神学】教义，教条教义，教条.A principle or belief or a group of them信条信条,信仰信仰a political dogma政治信条政治信条Originate:originate from/in sth.originate from/with sb.e.g.All theories originatefrom/in practice and in turn serve practice.in sbs favor:in sbs support;to sbs advantage,to sbs benefit 受其支持；对某人有受其支持；对某人有利利All the comments were in your favor.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.不不过过我我们们应应该该面面对对这这样样一一个个事事实实：那那些些仅仅仅仅是是从从过过去去传传承承下下来来的的观观点点在在其其起起源源的的时时侯侯，人人类类对对世世界界的的认认识识远远少少于于今今天天。因因此此，一一个个观观点点“由由来来已已久久”（因因而而我我们们应应该该接受它）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.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、接受思想、观接受思想、观点等点等She has never entertained the idea of living in the countryside.enquire(or:inquire)into:to find out more information about;to investigate调查He has inquired out the deployment of the enemy troops.Undesirable:不合意的、令人不快的Translate:该药有不良的副作用。The drug has undesirable side effects.wicked:morally bad;evil;in Spoken English it can mean mischievous Tempt:to cause to be strongly disposed:很想做：使很倾向于：很想做：使很倾向于：I feel tempted to say:我想要说。我想要说。never to be tempted off the straight path决不被引入歧途决不被引入歧途Cant I tempt you to have another helping?再吃一点好吗再吃一点好吗?break down:to cease to be useful;to fail to function;to stop being acceptable失败、失败、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 result of 鉴于、由于、考虑到鉴于、由于、考虑到e.g.He rewrote the book inthelightof further research.Obvious truthObvious truthThe sun moves round the earth;The earth is flat;The moon is huge lantern in the sky;The air is weightlessThere are always slaves and slave-owners;Men are always stronger than womenConceive:to imagine a particular situation or to think about sth.in a particular way 构想出、想象、设想、以为构想出、想象、设想、以为conceive a hatred怀恨怀恨conceive prejudices抱偏见抱偏见conceive a child怀孕怀孕Paragraph 9The age-long struggle of the greatest intellects in the world to shake off that assumption is one of the marvels of history.(Para.9)It took many scientists of greatest learning hundreds of years to struggle against the assumption that the planets moved in circles.The success of getting rid of that assumption is one of the miracles in human history.to get rid offParagraph 10Many modern persons find it very difficult to credit the fact that men can ever have supposed otherwise.Yetthey did.(Para.10)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 ancient people really thought in that way.to believe the fact differentlyReference:引文；提到、论及引文；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他的那部历史论著有很多处论及.with reference to;in reference to.关于；就关于；就而言而言consist of:to be made of or composed ofconsist in:to have a basis in;to lie in;to be found ine.g.1.True education does not consist in simply being taught facts.2.Their diet consisted largely of vegetables.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.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 forgive others.It doesnt pay to work too hard at the expense of your h