Unit 8 Knowledge and Wisdom

基础英语(三)

Knowledge and WisdomBertrand Russell伯特兰· 阿瑟· 威廉· 罗素

基础英语(三)

Bertrand Russell

基础英语(三)

Bertrand Russell

Bertrand William Russell, (1872 1970) A prolific writer, also a popularizer of philosophy and a commentator on a large variety of topics, ranging from very serious issues to the mundane. A British philosopher, logician, and mathematician. A prominent anti-war activist for most of his long life, championing free trade between nations and anti-imperialism.

基础英语(三)

Bertrand Russell In 1950, Russell was made a Nobel Laureate in Literature, “in recognition of his varied and significant writings in which he champions humanitarian ideals and freedom of thought.” 1950年，罗素获得诺贝尔文学 奖，以表彰其“多样且重要的 作品，持续不断的追求人道主 义理想和思想自由”。

基础英语(三)

Structural Analysis The text is neatly structured, with the first paragraph introducing the topic and the other paragraphs elaborating on it. Each of the four paragraphs discusses one factor that contributes to wisdom. I want to ask first what wisdow is, and then what can be done to teach it. abridge [ 'brid d]: adj.削减的，删节的

基础英语(三)

Para.2: Of these I should put first a sense of proportion: the capacity to take account of all the important factors in a problem and to attach to each its due weight. Para. 3: There must be, also, a certain awareness of the ends of human life. Paragraph 4: It is needed in the choice of ends to be pursued and in emancipation from personal prejudice. Paragraph 5: I think the essence of wisdom is emancipation, as far as possible, from the tyranny of the here and now.

Topic Sentences

基础英语(三)

Factors that Constitute WisdomA B

a sense of proportion

a full awareness of life goals

WisdomC D

understanding

impartiality

基础英语(三)

Structural AnalysisPara.1 Introduction Although our age far surpasses all previous ages in knowledge, there has been no correlative increase in wisdom. Body 4 factors that contributes to wisdom comprehensive vision 纵观全局的能力 a full awareness of the goals of human life 对人类终级目标的清醒认识 emancipation from personal prejudice 摆脱个人的偏见 impartiality 公正的态度

Para. 2-5

1. 2.3. 1.

基础英语(三)

idealism materialism emancipation n.(从束缚、支配下)解 放 emancipate vt.解放； 解脱(疑虑，迷信， 偏见等); [法]使(孩子)脱离父母的 管束(获得行动自主权) This new machine will emancipate us from the hard work. We must emancipate our thinking in a bold way.

基础英语(三)

Proverbs about Knowledge and Wisdom Knowledge speaks, but wisdom listens. Knowledge in youth is wisdom in age. Wisdom is only found in truth.

Science is organized knowledge. Wisdom is organized life. Without knowledge, I cannot play the violin. Without wisdom, I could not play the music.

基础英语(三)

Paragraph 1Most people would agree that, although our

age far surpasses all previous ages in knowledge, there has been no correlative increase in wisdom. But agreement ceases as soon as we attempt to define “wisdom” and consider means of promoting it. I want to ask first what wisdom is, and then what can be done to teach it.

基础英语(三)

Part one:1.

The increase in knowledge≠ The What view is commonly accepted in terms of knowledge and increase in wisdom wisdom?

Most people believe that knowledge is not equal to wisdom as history has suggested that acquisition of knowledge does not necessarily lead to the increase of wisdom.2. Is there any traditional definition of wisdom, according to this paragraph?

No. There is disagreement over what wisdom is.3. Has the author stated the purpose of his writing? What’s it?

Yes. The author has made it clear that he would like to discuss what contributes to wisdom and how to teach wisdom.

基础英语(三)

surpass (fml) to exceed; be/do better than… “surpass sb/sth (in sth)” sursuperabove/upon; excessive; superior… e.g. surface surcharge surrealism

基础英语(三)

2. correlative

relative

comparative (Cf absolute) e.g. We are living in we grow comfort e.g. Generally speaking, asrelativeolder, we will have correlative increase in knowledge and wisdom. nowadays than five decades ago. stress In many cases, disease is correlative with level. relative strong points/fine weather… considered in relation or proportion to sb/sth else e.g. What we achieve is relative to what we pay. In writing, the evidence should be relative to the key point.

基础英语(三)

3. cease

stop

二者均可作及物动词接动名词宾语; 和不及物动词 接不定式。但各自涵义不同。

stop cease: 接不定式时，多少含有感情色彩，而接动名词则没有这种感情色彩，接动名词作宾语时 所表达的“停止”这一概念，含有“暂时”的 意思，接不定式时则有“永久”的意思。

e.g. At last staff members ceased working for lacking raw materials.一位伟人与世长辞了。

A great mind ceased to think.

基础英语(三)

Paraphrase: Although our age surpasses all previous ages in knowledge, there has been no correlative increase in wisdom. Although our age exceeds (is better than) all the ages before in terms of knowledge, the acquisition of knowledge does not necessarily lead to the growth of wisdom.