Unit 6 Unit 6 Knowledge and WisdomKnowledge and Wisdom

ContentsContents

Pre-reading questionsPre-reading questions Background informationBackground information Structural analysis of the textStructural analysis of the text Comprehensive questionsComprehensive questions Language pointsLanguage points Sentence highlightsSentence highlights Language appreciationLanguage appreciation Grammar pointsGrammar points Comprehensive questions of Text IIComprehensive questions of Text II

Text IText I

Pre-reading questionsPre-reading questions 1. What kind of people are considered wise? 1. What kind of people are considered wise?

Cite some examples. And what are the Cite some examples. And what are the elements that constitute wisdom?elements that constitute wisdom?

2. How can you become wise? Do you think 2. How can you become wise? Do you think what you are doing in college contributes to what you are doing in college contributes to wisdom?wisdom?

Background InformationBackground Information About the authorAbout the author Bertrand Arthur William Russell (1872-1970), British philosopBertrand Arthur William Russell (1872-1970), British philosop

her and mathematician, was one of the outstanding figures of 2her and mathematician, was one of the outstanding figures of 20th century British philosophy, and was especially important 0th century British philosophy, and was especially important for his work in mathematical logic and notable for his support for his work in mathematical logic and notable for his support of humanitarian causes. His major works include Principia Maof humanitarian causes. His major works include Principia Mathematica, 3 vol. (1910-1913), written with A.N. Whitehead, athematica, 3 vol. (1910-1913), written with A.N. Whitehead, and A history of Western Philosophy (1945).nd A history of Western Philosophy (1945).

Russell was twice imprisoned for activities associated with his Russell was twice imprisoned for activities associated with his advocacy of pacifism(1918110, and with the anti-nuclear movadvocacy of pacifism(1918110, and with the anti-nuclear movement (1961).ement (1961).

He was awarded the Nobrel Prize for Literature in 1950.He was awarded the Nobrel Prize for Literature in 1950.

Structural AnalysisStructural Analysis

Text Structure:Text Structure: Para1: introductionPara1: introduction Para2-5: tells what wisdom is. Para2-5: tells what wisdom is.

Comprehension questions (1)Comprehension questions (1)

1. What message does the writer try to 1. What message does the writer try to convey with the example of technicians?convey with the example of technicians? Refer to Paragraph 2. The writer tries to tell us Refer to Paragraph 2. The writer tries to tell us

knowledge itself cannot save the world. knowledge itself cannot save the world. Knowledge without wisdom will not benefit the Knowledge without wisdom will not benefit the world an din some cases will even pose a serious world an din some cases will even pose a serious threat to humanity. So a wise person has to have a threat to humanity. So a wise person has to have a comprehensive view.comprehensive view.

Comprehension questions (2)Comprehension questions (2)

2. How can wisdom help one in his/her 2. How can wisdom help one in his/her pursuit of a life-long career?pursuit of a life-long career? Key: Refer to Paragraph 4. Wisdom can help one in Key: Refer to Paragraph 4. Wisdom can help one in

his choice of a life-long pursuit. When one has to his choice of a life-long pursuit. When one has to make a major career decision, he has to consider make a major career decision, he has to consider whether it is possible to achieve what he aims at. If it whether it is possible to achieve what he aims at. If it is too high to be achieved, he should learn to give it is too high to be achieved, he should learn to give it up and turn to an attainable goal.up and turn to an attainable goal.

Comprehension questions (3)Comprehension questions (3)

3.What, according to Russell, is the 3.What, according to Russell, is the essence of wisdom? And how can one essence of wisdom? And how can one acquire the very essence?acquire the very essence? Refer to Paragraph 5. According to Russell, the Refer to Paragraph 5. According to Russell, the

essence of wisdom lies in impartiality, the ability to essence of wisdom lies in impartiality, the ability to defy the physical world. Russell believes the process defy the physical world. Russell believes the process of growing wise is that of tearing oneself away from of growing wise is that of tearing oneself away from the physical and emotional worlds and moving into a the physical and emotional worlds and moving into a higher stage, the spiritual world.higher stage, the spiritual world.

surpass: to do or be better thansurpass: to do or be better than The student was surpassing himself in The student was surpassing himself in

mathematics. Tom surpassed all expectations.mathematics. Tom surpassed all expectations. Sur-: over, above, beyond Sur-: over, above, beyond

cease: to come to an endcease: to come to an end He never ceased from his activities as a propagandist. He never ceased from his activities as a propagandist. Gradually their talk ceased. Gradually their talk ceased.

Language pointsLanguage points

means: a method that enables a purpose to be fulfilledmeans: a method that enables a purpose to be fulfilled He was prepared to use any means to get what he wanted. He was prepared to use any means to get what he wanted.

The quickest means of travel is by plane. The quickest means of travel is by plane. Note: It is a plural noun, but is usually treated as singular.Note: It is a plural noun, but is usually treated as singular.

Paragraphs 2-5Paragraphs 2-5 Contribute to: to help to cause or bring aboutContribute to: to help to cause or bring about

Poor food contributed to her illness. Poor food contributed to her illness. Her singing will contribute greatly to the success Her singing will contribute greatly to the success

of the party. of the party.

take account of: to take into consideration; to take account of: to take into consideration; to consider a specified thing along with other consider a specified thing along with other factors before reaching a decision or taking factors before reaching a decision or taking actionaction

In judging the progress he has made, we must take In judging the progress he has made, we must take account of the fact that he has been working in account of the fact that he has been working in great difficulties for several months.great difficulties for several months.

attach due weight to: to ascribe proper attach due weight to: to ascribe proper importance to importance to

due: proper, adequatedue: proper, adequate They will surely meet with due punishment. They will surely meet with due punishment.

be engaged in: to be doing or to become be engaged in: to be doing or to become

involved in an activityinvolved in an activity Bill is engaged in compiling a dictionary. Bill is engaged in compiling a dictionary.

succeed in: to achieve what one aims or wants succeed in: to achieve what one aims or wants to doto do He is happy to have succeeded in losing weight.He is happy to have succeeded in losing weight.

populous: densely populatedpopulous: densely populated -ous: characterize by; of the nature-ous: characterize by; of the nature

mountainous, poisonousmountainous, poisonous

Spectacular: strikingly large and obviousSpectacular: strikingly large and obvious -ar: of the kind specified other examples: mol-ar: of the kind specified other examples: mol

ecular, scholarecular, scholar pursuit: the action of following somebody or spursuit: the action of following somebody or s

omethingomething The police car raced through the streets in pursuit The police car raced through the streets in pursuit

of another car.of another car.

Many eminent historians have done more harm Many eminent historians have done more harm than good…than good… She is more thoughtless than stupid.She is more thoughtless than stupid.

EminentEminent: (of a person) famous and respected : (of a person) famous and respected within a particular sphere or professionwithin a particular sphere or profession He is eminent for his learning. He is eminent for his learning. Even the most eminent doctors could not cure him. Even the most eminent doctors could not cure him.

lack: n. the state of not having enough or lack: n. the state of not having enough or sth. ; vt. to be without or deficient in; sth. ; vt. to be without or deficient in;

vi. (+for) not to have enough ofvi. (+for) not to have enough of He failed in the appeal for lack of evidence. He failed in the appeal for lack of evidence. There is no of entertainment aboard the ship.There is no of entertainment aboard the ship. Her writing lacks imagination.Her writing lacks imagination. She never lacks for friends. She never lacks for friends.

lacking: adj.lacking: adj. He found himself lacking in ability. He found himself lacking in ability.

inculcate: inculcate: to fix (ideas and principles, etc.) in the to fix (ideas and principles, etc.) in the mind of (somebody)mind of (somebody) It’s important to inculcate these ideas in the minds of the It’s important to inculcate these ideas in the minds of the

young people.young people.

Standard-bearer: Standard-bearer: a leading figure in a cause or a leading figure in a cause or movementmovement

emancipation from: emancipation from: freedom from political, freedom from political, moral, intellectual or social restraints offensive moral, intellectual or social restraints offensive to reason or justiceto reason or justice

devote … to…: devote … to…: give all or a large part of give all or a large part of one’s time or resources to (a person, activity or one’s time or resources to (a person, activity or cause)cause) I want to devote more time to my family. I want to devote more time to my family. He devotes himself to philanthropy.He devotes himself to philanthropy.

confer (upon): to grantconfer (upon): to grant The queen conferred knighthoods on several The queen conferred knighthoods on several

distinguished men. distinguished men.

as it was: in reality; in the actual situationas it was: in reality; in the actual situation past form for “past form for “as it isas it is” which refers to what an actual ” which refers to what an actual

situation is. situation is. similar expressions include: similar expressions include: as it stands, as it turns as it stands, as it turns

out, as it happensout, as it happens I thought things would get better, but as it is, they I thought things would get better, but as it is, they

are getting worse.are getting worse. I’ve got enough on my plate as it is.I’ve got enough on my plate as it is.

as it were: as one might say; in a sort of wayas it were: as one might say; in a sort of way ““Were” here is a subjunctive form.Were” here is a subjunctive form.

He was my second self, as it were. He was my second self, as it were. He became , as it were, a man without a country.He became , as it were, a man without a country.

appalling: horrifying, shocking appalling: horrifying, shocking When will this appalling war end?When will this appalling war end? The plight of the starving natives is appalling. The plight of the starving natives is appalling.

instill: to gradually but firmly establish (an idea or attinstill: to gradually but firmly establish (an idea or attitude, esp. a desirable one) in a person’s minditude, esp. a desirable one) in a person’s mind It is part of a teacher’s job to instill self-confidence into hiIt is part of a teacher’s job to instill self-confidence into hi

s/her students.s/her students.

be bound up with: be involved in, dependent on, be bound up with: be involved in, dependent on, connected withconnected with The survival of these creatures is intimately bound up with The survival of these creatures is intimately bound up with

childhood experience. childhood experience.

impartiality: the condition of treating all rivals or impartiality: the condition of treating all rivals or disputants equallydisputants equally Certain ministers are pressing for new rules on Certain ministers are pressing for new rules on

broadcasting impartiality. broadcasting impartiality.

Sentence highlightsSentence highlights

1. But agreement ceases as soon as we attempt 1. But agreement ceases as soon as we attempt to define “wisdom” and consider means of to define “wisdom” and consider means of promoting it. (Para.1)promoting it. (Para.1)

Paraphrase:Paraphrase:

2. You study the composition of the atom from 2. You study the composition of the atom from a disinterested desire for knowledge, and a disinterested desire for knowledge, and incidentally place in the hands of powerful incidentally place in the hands of powerful lunatics the means of destroying the human lunatics the means of destroying the human race. (Para.2)race. (Para.2)

Paraphrase:Paraphrase:

3. Perhaps one could stretch the 3. Perhaps one could stretch the comprehensiveness that constitutes wisdom to comprehensiveness that constitutes wisdom to include not only intellect but also feeling. include not only intellect but also feeling. (Para. 3)(Para. 3)

Paraphrase:Paraphrase:

4. Even an end which it would be noble to 4. Even an end which it would be noble to ppursue if it were attainable may be pursued unwursue if it were attainable may be pursued unwisely if it is inherently impossible of achievemisely if it is inherently impossible of achievement. (para. 4)ent. (para. 4)

Paraphrase:Paraphrase:

5. But it is possible to make a continual 5. But it is possible to make a continual approach towards impartiality, on the one approach towards impartiality, on the one hand, by knowing things somewhat remote in hand, by knowing things somewhat remote in time or space, and on the other hand, by giving time or space, and on the other hand, by giving to such things due weight in our feelings.to such things due weight in our feelings.

Language AppreciationLanguage Appreciation

1. You succeed (let us say), as modern 1. You succeed (let us say), as modern medicine has succeeded, in enormously medicine has succeeded, in enormously lowering…(Para. 2)lowering…(Para. 2)

parenthesis parenthesis

2. … and incidentally place in the hands of 2. … and incidentally place in the hands of powerful lunaticspowerful lunatics the means of destroying the means of destroying the human race. (Para. 2)the human race. (Para. 2)

paradox. paradox.

3. It is by no means uncommon to find men 3. It is by no means uncommon to find men whose knowledge is wide but whose feelings whose knowledge is wide but whose feelings are narrow.(Para.3)are narrow.(Para.3)

4. But perhaps, if you have sufficient patience 4. But perhaps, if you have sufficient patience and suffiicent persuasiveness, you may…( Parand suffiicent persuasiveness, you may…( Para. 4)a. 4)

5. 1)…. and, in proportion as his thoughts and feeling5. 1)…. and, in proportion as his thoughts and feelings become less personal and less concerned with his os become less personal and less concerned with his own physical states, he achieves growing wisdom. (Parwn physical states, he achieves growing wisdom. (Para. 5)a. 5)

2). I think the essence of wisdom is emanipation, as 2). I think the essence of wisdom is emanipation, as far as possible, from the tyranny of the here and now. far as possible, from the tyranny of the here and now. (Para.5)(Para.5)

3). This has become more difficult than it used to be 3). This has become more difficult than it used to be owing to the extent and complesity of the specialized owing to the extent and complesity of the specialized knowedge required of various kind of technicians. (paknowedge required of various kind of technicians. (para. 2)ra. 2)

6. 1). Gradully with the years, his horizon wid6. 1). Gradully with the years, his horizon widens, and , in proportion as his thoughts and feeens, and , in proportion as his thoughts and feelings become less personal and less concerned lings become less personal and less concerned with his own physical states, he achieves growwith his own physical states, he achieves growing wisdom. (Para. 5)ing wisdom. (Para. 5)

2).This is of course a matter of degree. (Para.2).This is of course a matter of degree. (Para.5)5)

7. But it is possible to make a continual 7. But it is possible to make a continual approach towards impartiality, on the one approach towards impartiality, on the one hand, by knowing things somewhat remote hand, by knowing things somewhat remote in time or space, and on the other hand, by in time or space, and on the other hand, by giving to such things their due weight in our giving to such things their due weight in our feelings. (Para.5)feelings. (Para.5)

Grammar pointsGrammar points ItIt Patterns Patterns

There are three types of non-referring it as formal subject: empThere are three types of non-referring it as formal subject: empty it, anticipatory it an dit as introductory word of cleft sentencty it, anticipatory it an dit as introductory word of cleft sentence.e.

1) Empty1) Empty it it e.g. It seemed a long time before my turn came.e.g. It seemed a long time before my turn came. 2) Anticipatory 2) Anticipatory itit e.g. It was not known whether there was gold left in the mine.e.g. It was not known whether there was gold left in the mine. 3)3)ItIt as introductory word of cleft sentence as introductory word of cleft sentence The general pattern of a cleft sentence is as follows:The general pattern of a cleft sentence is as follows: It+be+ focal element+that/who-clause, It+be+ focal element+that/who-clause, e.g. It is Mary who has won the first place.e.g. It is Mary who has won the first place.

Disjunctive QuestionDisjunctive Question反意疑问句反意疑问句

http://dinahzeng.blog.163.com/blog/static/494http://dinahzeng.blog.163.com/blog/static/4945195200892595317870/5195200892595317870/

Comprehensive questions of Text IIComprehensive questions of Text II 1.How do you interpret the statement, “ It is 1.How do you interpret the statement, “ It is

necessary to be one-sided, since this facilitates the necessary to be one-sided, since this facilitates the vehemence that is considered a proof of strength”vehemence that is considered a proof of strength” The sentence means one should be biased so as to be The sentence means one should be biased so as to be

passionate, and passion is a proof of his strength. Russell passionate, and passion is a proof of his strength. Russell here mocks this belief of Lawrence’s implicitly.here mocks this belief of Lawrence’s implicitly.

2. In the second paragraph, Russell seems to warn the 2. In the second paragraph, Russell seems to warn the youth against something. What is the warning?youth against something. What is the warning? In the second [paragraph, Russell warns the youth against In the second [paragraph, Russell warns the youth against

Lawrence’s influence that saw women as passive and Lawrence’s influence that saw women as passive and physical, and that encouraged men to behave in a primitive physical, and that encouraged men to behave in a primitive and dominant way. and dominant way.

3. What is Russell’s opinion about some people’s technique of 3. What is Russell’s opinion about some people’s technique of criticism?criticism? Refer to Paragraph 3. Russell despises those writers that were slippery, Refer to Paragraph 3. Russell despises those writers that were slippery,

those that did not specify their targets clearly.those that did not specify their targets clearly.

What is the major conflict between Russell’s and Lawrence’s pWhat is the major conflict between Russell’s and Lawrence’s philosophies as is exemplified by the text?hilosophies as is exemplified by the text? Russell stands for the rational and intellectual side while Lawrence for Russell stands for the rational and intellectual side while Lawrence for

the emotional, physical side. Russell despises Lawrence for his primitithe emotional, physical side. Russell despises Lawrence for his primitive man’s understanding of the relationship between men and women ave man’s understanding of the relationship between men and women and his reliance on passion and desire for emancipation. And Lawrence nd his reliance on passion and desire for emancipation. And Lawrence critizes the cold and impotent nature of rationality. Each of thme is just critizes the cold and impotent nature of rationality. Each of thme is just the opposite of the other.the opposite of the other.