Knowledge and progress

原文

Why does the idea of progress loom so large in the modern world? Surely progress of a particular kind is actually taking place around us and is becoming more and more manifest. Although mankind has undergone no general improvement in intelligence or morality, it has made extraordinary progress in the accumulation of knowledge. Knowledge began to increase as soon as the thoughts of one individual could be communicated to another by means of speech. With the invention of writing, a great advance was made, for knowledge could then be not only communicated but also stored. Libraries made education possible, and education in its turn added to libraries: the growth of knowledge followed a kind of compound interest law, which was greatly enhanced by the invention of printing. All this was comparatively slow until, with the coming of science, the tempo was suddenly raised. Then knowledge began to be accumulated according to a systematic plan. The trickle became a stream; the stream has now become a torrent. Moreover, as soon as new knowledge is acquired, it is now turned to practical account. What is called 'modern civilization' is not the result of a balanced development of all man's nature. but of accumulated knowledge applied to practical life. The problem now facing humanity is: What is going to be done with all this knowledge? As is so often pointed out, knowledge is a two-edged weapon which can be used equally for good or evil. It is now being used indifferently for both. Could any spectacle, for instance, be more grimly whimsical than that of gunners ourselves very seriously what will happen if this twofold use of knowledge, with its ever-increasing power, continues.

--G.N.M.TYRRELL The Personality of Man--

译文

为什么进步的概念在现代世界如此显要?无疑,一种特殊的进步确实在我们周围发生,而且越来越明显。尽管人类在智能或道德方面没有普遍的改善,但它在知识的积累上取得了非凡的进步。知识的增长始于一个人的思想可以通过语言传达给另一个人。随着书写的发明,取得了巨大的进步,因为知识不仅可以传达,还可以储存。图书馆使教育成为可能,而教育反过来又丰富了图书馆:知识的增长遵循一种类似复利定律的规律,这种增长因印刷术的发明而大大加快了。这一切在科学到来之前相对缓慢,直到那时,节奏突然加快了。然后,知识开始根据系统的计划积累起来。小溪变成了河流;河流现在已成为激流。而且,一旦获得新知识,它现在就被用于实际用途。所谓“现代文明”不是人类本性全面平衡发展的结果,而是积累的知识应用于实际生活。现在人类面临的问题是:如何处理所有这些知识?正如经常指出的,知识是一把双刃剑,可以同样用于善恶。它现在被不加区别地用于两者。例如,还有什么景象比炮手和我们自己非常严肃地考虑如果这种双重使用知识的做法继续下去,会发生什么更令人可悲地荒谬呢?

--G.N.M.TYRRELL The Personality of Man--

词汇表

progress

名词, 动词
英:/ˈprɒɡrəs/
美:/ˈprɑːɡrəs/
定义
1. 进步 - Forward or onward movement toward a destination or goal.

例子: The country has made significant progress in technology.

例子: She is making progress in her language studies.

2. 进展 - To develop or improve over time.

例子: The project is progressing well despite challenges.

例子: Economic progress often leads to social changes.

近义词
advancement: 强调向前发展,常用于正式语境,如技术或社会领域,而 'progress' 更通用。
development: 侧重于渐进式成长或演变,适用于个人或社会层面,比 'progress' 更强调过程。
improvement: 专注于变得更好,常用于具体领域的提升,如技能或质量,与 'progress' 的整体前进不同。
反义词:
regression, decline, stagnation
用法
常用于描述积极变化或发展,常见搭配如 'make progress' 或 'progress in something',在学术和日常语境中均适用,强调持续性。
形式:
复数: progresses, 动词过去式: progressed, 动词现在分词: progressing

关键句型 "Although [clause], [clause]"

定义

此句型是一种常见的让步状语从句结构,用于表达转折或对比,结构为:Although(尽管)+ 从句 + , + 主句。引用《剑桥英语语法》,它表示一种让步关系,承认一个事实但引出相反的结果,帮助构建复杂句。举例来说,在文章中如 "Although mankind has undergone no general improvement in intelligence or morality, it has made extraordinary progress...",Although 引导的从句先承认一个条件,然后主句转折到主要观点。这种句型简洁有力,常用于学术或正式写作中。

它本质上是一种连接词引导的从句,强调对比逻辑。

用法

此句型主要用于书面或口头表达中,表示让步或对比场景,例如在讨论、辩论或描述现实时。规则:Although 后跟一个完整的从句(包括主语和谓语),然后用逗号连接主句。在语法体系中,它属于状语从句的一部分,与其他连接词如 "because"(原因)或 "if"(条件)相关联。横向比较:与 "However, [clause]" 相比,Although 将对比整合到一个句中,更紧凑;与 "Even though" 类似,但 Although 更正式,常用于中性描述,而 "Even though" 强调强烈对比。例如,Although 适合学术文章,而 "But" 则更口语化。

跨语法点联系:它常与现在完成时或过去时结合(如文章中的 "has undergone"),帮助学生理解从句与主句的时态一致性。同时,与并列句(如 "[clause], but [clause]")相比,Although 使句子更复杂且连贯,适合中级学习者扩展句子结构。

在实际应用中,此句型能使表达更成熟,例如在作文中讨论优缺点。

注意事项

学生易犯的错误包括:忽略逗号,导致句子阅读困难,如直接写 "Although [clause] [clause]" 而非 "Although [clause], [clause]";或在从句中使用不正确的时态,例如用一般过去时在主句用现在时,破坏逻辑。纠正建议:总是检查从句和主句的时态是否合适,并练习添加逗号。另一个常见偏误是误用为 "Though",尽管二者相似,但 Although 更正式。

具体例句:

错误示例:Although it rained we had a great time but we got wet.  // 错误:多余的 "but" 使句子冗余,应简化为一个结构。
正确示例:Although it rained, we had a great time.

记住,保持句子平衡,避免从句过长以免混淆读者。

练习

原创例子:假设你在讨论个人成长,可以说 "Although I failed the exam, I learned valuable lessons from my mistakes." 学生可以替换关键词,例如将 "failed the exam" 改为 "lost the game",变成 "Although I lost the game, I learned valuable lessons from my mistakes." 这能应用到日常反思中,如在日记或对话中。

通过这种替换,学生能探索不同场景,例如在工作讨论中说 "Although the project was delayed, we achieved our goals." 练习后,鼓励学生创建自己的句子,增强对转折逻辑的掌握。

额外内容

背景知识:Although 源自古英语,历史悠久,常在西方哲学和文学中用于辩证表达,如莎士比亚的作品。对比分析:与中文的 "虽然...但是..." 类似,但英语中需注意从句结构,而中文更依赖词汇。相比法语的 "Bien que",英语版本更直接,便于初学者。在学习此句型时,了解其在辩论中的作用能丰富文化视野,例如文章中讨论进步的矛盾性,帮助学生在英语辩论中自信表达复杂观点。

关键句型 "As soon as [clause], [clause]"

定义

此句型是一种时间状语从句结构,用于表示一个事件紧接着另一个事件发生,结构为:As soon as(一...就...)+ 从句 + , + 主句。依据《牛津现代英语语法》,它强调事件的顺序和即时性,常用于描述因果或时间序列。在文章中,如 "Knowledge began to increase as soon as the thoughts of one individual could be communicated...",As soon as 引导从句突出事件的触发点。这种句型帮助连接过去或现在的事件,增强叙述的流畅性。

它特别适合讲述历史或过程,强调快速响应。

用法

此句型广泛用于叙述性文本、故事或说明文,表示时间上的立即性。规则:As soon as 后跟一个完整的从句,然后用逗号连接主句。在语法体系中,它属于时间状语从句,与 "when" 或 "after" 相关。横向比较:与 "When [clause]" 相比,As soon as 更强调"立即性",如 "As soon as I arrived, I called you" 比 "When I arrived, I called you" 更突出 urgency;与 "After [clause]" 不同,后者表示后续而非即时。

跨语法点联系:它常与过去时或现在时结合(如文章中的过去时),并可链接到条件句或结果句中。例如,与现在完成时结合能显示持续影响。学生可以通过此句型练习时态一致性,并与其他时间表达如 "No sooner than" 比较,后者更正式但类似。

在日常对话中,此句型使描述更生动,例如计划或回顾事件。

注意事项

学生常犯错误包括:误用为 "As" 而不加 "soon as",导致含义模糊;或忘记逗号,造成句子阅读障碍。纠正建议:始终使用完整短语 As soon as,并在从句后加逗号。另一个问题是时态不一致,例如用一般现在时在主句用过去时;建议练习保持时态统一。

具体例句:

错误示例:As soon as I eat dinner I will go out.  // 错误:主句时态应更精确,如用将来时。
正确示例:As soon as I finish dinner, I will go out.

注意,避免在非正式场合过度使用,以免显得生硬。

练习

原创例子:在讨论科技进步时,可以说 "As soon as the invention was announced, people started using it worldwide." 学生可替换关键词,如将 "the invention was announced" 改为 "the app was released",变成 "As soon as the app was released, people started using it worldwide." 这适用于科技新闻或个人故事。

通过替换,学生能应用到实际场景,如日常生活:"As soon as I wake up, I check my phone." 鼓励学生创建多个变体,增强对时间顺序的理解和灵活运用。

额外内容

背景知识:As soon as 起源于中古英语,常在现代小说和科学文章中表达因果链条,如文章中知识积累的过程。对比分析:与中文的 "一...就..." 相似,但英语强调结构精确,而日语的 "-tara sugu" 则更依赖动词形式。学习此句型能帮助学生理解西方叙事风格的逻辑性,例如在历史文本中追踪事件,丰富跨文化表达能力。