1、,Groundless Beliefs,A. E. Mander,Groundless Beliefs,Unit 3,Questions / Activities,Check-on Preview,Objectives,W,B,T,R,Warming up,Groundless Beliefs,Unit 3,Warming up,Questions / Activities,Are carrots a rabbits favorite? How do you know?,W,B,T,R,Aristotle vs. Galileos,Lesson 6 Groundless Beliefs,Why
2、 was Galileo able to prove Aristotle wrong? What lesson shall we learn from Galileos experiment?,Warming up,Questions / Activities,What are the words used by the author in referring to groundless “beliefs”? - propositions, assumptions, dogma, opinion According to the author where do these beliefs co
3、me from? - from other people: family, friends, media, tradition, interest groups, etc. Why do we tend to accept these beliefs? - “suggestion”, self-interest, sentimental associations, Fashion Why do we have to be on guard against them? - most of them are irrational; they are _ rather than thought. -
4、 once they become so s_ in they prevent us from accepting new ideas.,Check-on Preview,Warming up,Objectives,Call attention to groundless beliefs Understand the causes of groundless beliefs Discuss the importance of inquisition Consider the strategies against groundless beliefs Encourage students to
5、actively identify groundless beliefs in life Appreciate the logic structure,W,B,T,R,Warming up,Background,Author,B,W,T,R,Groundless Beliefs,Unit 3,A. E. Mander (18941985) A well-published Australian scholar.,Background,Author,His Life and Works,Books Logic for the millions Clearer thinking (logic fo
6、r everyman) The making of the Australians Our sham democracy Psychology for everyman (and woman) Clearer thinking; logic for everyday use Public enemy, the press Alarming Australia,Quotations from Manders book,The trouble with most folks is not so much their ignorance, as their “knowing“ so many thi
7、ngs which aint so. - Josh Billings He who cannot reason is a fool; he who will not is a bigot; he who dare not is a slave. -W. Drummond,Background,Author,Text Analysis,T,W,B,R,Groundless Beliefs,Unit 3,Text Analysis,Theme,Understand the sources of groundless beliefs Develop the alert to groundless b
8、eliefs Emphasize the importance of a curious, inquiring mind Discuss how to develop such a mind,T,W,B,R,The Introduction (para. 1): Prevalence of groundless beliefs II. The body (paras. 224): Types/Causes of groundless beliefs Result of environment in early life. (paras. 23) Parroting. (paras. 413)
9、Self-interest (paras. 1417) Sentimental associations (paras. 1819) Fashion (paras. 2024) III. The conclusion (para. 25): The writers praise of rational thinkers,Text Analysis,Structure,Text Analysis,Detailed Analysis,Main Idea,Sentence Paraphrase,Words & Expressions,Exercise,I II III,T,W,B,R,Text An
10、alysis,Detailed Analysis,Part I: The Introduction (para.1): Prevalence of groundless beliefsMain Idea,What does the author advocate in the first sentence? Have you ever asked yourself these questions? Can you give examples of groundless beliefs which rest upon “mere tradition” or somebodys “bare ass
11、ertion”?,Text Analysis,Detailed Analysis,Part I: Sentence Paraphrase,They rest upon mere tradition, or on somebodys bare assertion unsupported by even a shadow of proof. (para. 1),be based on,These groundless believes are either based on tradition or on somebodys strong claims which are not supporte
12、d by the slightest trace of proof.,the slightest trace of proof,Text Analysis,Detailed Analysis,Part I: Words & Expressions,Words,Phrases,Sentence Pattern,class,come acrossmeet with rest upon(on)a shadow of,What reason have we for doing,Text Analysis,Detailed Analysis,Part I: Exercise,Translate the
13、following sentences into English, using words in the brackets. 如今，在他们生活的城市，农民工很少被当成市民看待。(class) Yet few of migrant workers are even classed as citizens of the city where they live. 一个国家的实力不只是取决于经济发展；它至少在相同的程度上有赖于其教育水平。（rest upon) The strength of a country does not rest upon economic development alon
14、e; it rests upon education, at least to the same extent. 我们明确地知道，人的生命从何时开始。(a shadow of) We know, without a shadow of a doubt, when human life begins。,Text Analysis,Detailed Analysis,Part II: Types/Causes of groundless beliefs (paras. 224) Section 1. Result of environment in early life. (paras. 23),
15、How can a simple “suggestion” become a “belief”? uncritically we accepted and believed it. we didnt have the power of questioning. How shall we deal with the beliefs developed in early childhood?,Text Analysis,Detailed Analysis,Roman Catholic In order to be saved, all persons who have attained the u
16、se of reason must believe explicitly that God exists and that he rewards the good and punishes the wicked. The Church is the congregation of all baptized persons, under the authority of the Sovereign Pontiff and the bishops in communion with him. We find the chief truths taught by Jesus Christ throu
17、gh the Catholic Church in the Apostles Creed.,Presbyterian We believe that Jesus Christ is the eternal Son of God, and we shall trust in Him, alone, for salvation. We believe the Bible is the revelation of Gods truth and is infallible and authoritative in all matters of faith and practice. We believ
18、e that all are sinners and totally unable to save themselves from Gods displeasure, except by His mercy.,Text Analysis,Detailed Analysis,Part II: Words & Expressions,Words,Phrases,Sentence Pattern,Grammar,wayreverse,be consistent withfeel sure ofbe brought up to,It isto doThe same is true of,when in
19、fants (omission),Text Analysis,Detailed Analysis,Part II: Exercise,Translate the following sentences into English, using words in the brackets. 尽管中国有此抱怨,但世界贸易组织称碳关税符合世界贸易规则。(consistent) Despite bluster from Beijing, the WTO says carbon tariffs can be consistent with world trade rules.尽管沃尔玛员工的确一般比较穷，
20、但去那里购物的人也同样如此。(the same) While it is true that Walmart employees tend to be poor, the same is true of Walmart shoppers.,Text Analysis,Detailed Analysis,Part II: Types/Causes of groundless beliefs (paras. 224) Section 2. Parroting. (paras. 413)Main Idea,What does “parroting” mean? Copy, echo, or repe
21、at without question. Accept only such new ideas as fit in with the ideas we already hold How should we treat other peoples ideas according to the author?,Whats the author opinion of newspapers and advertisements? Why do we tend to accept only such new ideas as fit in with the ideas we already hold;
22、and all conflicting ideas seem to us “obviously” absurd? What propositions should we treat with caution? Old propositions Obvious truths,Text Analysis,Detailed Analysis,Progress in human thought seems to consist mainly in getting rid of such ideas.,Text Analysis,Detailed Analysis,Part II: Sentence P
23、araphrase,When we find ourselves entertaining an opinion about which there is a feeling that even to enquire into it would be absurd, unnecessary, undesirable, or wickedwe may know that that opinion is a non-rational one. (para. 7),allow yourself to consider it as possible or as worth thinking about
24、 seriously,Another common mistake we make is to judge opinions according to our feelings. An opinion is true because it is true, not because we like it or find it desirable or useful. In fact, truth can often be unpleasant or painful whereas untruth can be soothing and attractive.,Text Analysis,Deta
25、iled Analysis,Part III: Words & Expressions,Words,Phrases,Sentence Pattern,Grammar,entertaintemptconceiveintellectcredit (v.),fit in with on ones guard break down in the light of on the grounds of consist in,such new ideas as fit in with,That the earth must be flat formally seemed so obvious,Text An
26、alysis,Detailed Analysis,Part II: Exercise,Translate the following sentences into English, using words in the brackets. 我不会考虑从事这种不跟人打交道的工作。(entertain) I wouldnt entertain the idea of such an unsociable job. 我决不相信那个荒谬绝伦的故事。(credit) I shall never credit that absurd tale.人们永远根据其它人的行动调整他们的行为。(in the lig
27、ht of) Humans are forever adapting their behaviour in the light of others actions.,Text Analysis,Detailed Analysis,Part II: Types/Causes of groundless beliefs (paras. 224) Section 3. Self-interest (paras. 1417)Main Idea,What does “self-interest” mean? Way of earning ones livelihood and acquiring wea
28、lth Social position Justification,How is someones social position defined? Popularity Respect and goodwill Prestige,Text Analysis,Detailed Analysis,Text Analysis,Detailed Analysis,Part III: Words & Expressions,Words,Phrases,Sentence Pattern,Grammar,attribute compeljustify,leave no room for cling to,
29、Put it broadly,There is many a man who isthe “grapes” being the rewards,Text Analysis,Detailed Analysis,Part II: Exercise,Translate the following sentences into English, using words in the brackets. 她认为她的高寿是精心安排饮食的结果。(attribute) She attributes her great age to carefully planned diet.他坚信有朝一日他会返回故乡。(c
30、ling to) He clings to the belief that one day he will be able to return to his native home.自此以后，许多中央银行明白了，流通纸币，信任就是一切。(many a) With paper money, confidence is everything, as many a central bank has since then discovered.,Text Analysis,Detailed Analysis,Part II: Types/Causes of groundless beliefs (pa
31、ras. 224) Section 4. Sentimental associations (paras. 1819)Main Idea,What examples do you have for groundless believes originated from “sentimental associations”?,Do you agree with the authors arguments about “sentimental associations”? How shall we avert such a tendency?,Text Analysis,Detailed Anal
32、ysis,Text Analysis,Detailed Analysis,Part III: Words & Expressions,Words,Phrases,associatebelittlegrudge dispose,have recollections of play a part instand for,Text Analysis,Detailed Analysis,Part II: Exercise,Translate the following sentences into English, using words in the brackets.无论你怎么看待马克思，你都不可
33、能贬低他在我们的世界中所发挥的作用。(belittle) Whatever one may think about Marx, one must not belittle the role he plays in our world.如果任何人辜负了她的信任，她会怨恨一辈子。(grudge) She could hold a life-long grudge against anyone who betrayed her trust.市场情况的变化使我们倾向于取消合同。(dispose) Changes in the market conditions here dispose us to c
34、ancel the contract.,Text Analysis,Detailed Analysis,Part II: Types/Causes of groundless beliefs (paras. 224) Section 5. Fashion (paras. 2024) Main Idea,What does the author mean by “fashion”? How others of our own set feel and believe Habits of thought,What is the bio-psychological explanation for “
35、brain path”? Why is there the “brain path”/thought pattern? In introspection, do you find any particular “brain paths” in yourself? What are they?,Text Analysis,Detailed Analysis,Text Analysis,Detailed Analysis,Part III: Words & Expressions,Words,Phrases,Sentence Pattern,Grammar,dictatemeritlegitima
36、te stock,a string ofgo to the dogstell sb. straightstamp in,An Old Fogey may have become such at seventeen,Text Analysis,Detailed Analysis,Part II: Exercise,Translate the following sentences into English, using words in the brackets.该影片的预算决定了紧张的拍摄进度。(dictate) The films budget dictated a tough schedu
37、le.我的老板是老一套的回答“没坏的话就别修了！” (stock) My boss had a stock response “If it aint broke, dont fix it!“约翰没有坦率地告诉我，他厌倦了，想离开。(tell straight) John did not tell me straight out that he was fed up and wanted to leave.,Text Analysis,Detailed Analysis,Part III: The conclusion (para. 25)The writers praise of ration
38、al thinkers Main Idea,What are the features of rational minds? A desire To discover, To think things out clearly and rationally To et at the truth,Text Analysis,Detailed Analysis,Part III: Words & Expressions,Words,Phrases,Sentence Pattern,Grammar,allowance,make allowance for get atat all costs,To g
39、et at the truth at all costs, whatever it may turn out to be.,not, not, but,Text Analysis,Detailed Analysis,Part III: Exercise,Translate the following sentences into English, using words in the brackets.你应带体谅其他人所犯得错误并且原谅那些冒犯你的人。(make allowance for) You must make allowance for each others faults and
40、forgive the person who offends you.你要确定是自己走近作者并去领会他的想法，而不是寻找自己的观点。(get at) Be sure that you go to the author to get at his meaning, not to find yours.,R,W,B,T,Reinforcement,Summary,Discussion,Groundless Beliefs,Unit 3,Reinforcement,Summary,What are the five main sources of groundless beliefs? Early
41、environment; The habit of parroting; Self-interest; Sentimental association; Fashion. What words should we watch out for so as to minimize the influence of groundless beliefs? Naturally Obviously By nature Inevitable ,R,W,B,T,Reinforcement,Discussion,Work in groups of four:What other examples of groundless beliefs do you have? Why do you think groundless beliefs are so common? What are the dangers of groundless beliefs? How could we keep the monster of groundless belief at bay?Presentation Time,R,W,B,T,
