2024年3月16日发(作者：)

Essence of Education教育的本质

Robery W. Tracinki

1. The essence of education is the teaching of facts and reasoning skills to

our children, so that they learn to think.

教育的本质是向我们的孩子们教授事实和推理的技能，让他们学会思考。

2. Yet almost a century, our schools have been under assault by an

approach to education that elevates feelings over facts. Under the influence of

Progressive Education -- It is now more important than getting him in touch

with the facts of history, mathematics or geography.然而几乎一个世纪以来，我们

的学校都在受到一种将感受凌驾于事实之上的教育方法的攻击。在进步教育的影响下——

让学生了解历史事实、数学或地理都不如感觉重要。

Note:

elevate v. to make more important or to improve

e.g. They want to elevate the status of teachers.

3. "Creative spelling"-- in which students are encouraged to spell words in

whatever way they feel is correct - is more important than the rules of

language. Urging children to "feel good" about themselves is more important

than ensuring that they acquire the knowledge necessary for living

successfully.“创造性的拼写”——鼓励学生以任何他们感觉正确的方式拼写单词—这比

语言规则更加重要。鼓励孩子们对自己“感觉良好”比确保他们获得顺利生活所必需的知

识更为重要。

4. This emotion-centered, anti-reason assault on education has found a

new ally: those who believe the literal words of the Bible. The

Kansas

Board of

Education has just excised the theory of evolution from the state's official

science standards. Several other states have enacted similar anti-evolution

policies, thereby elevating the feeling

of religious fundamentalists over the accumulated evidence of the entire

science of biology.这种以情绪为中心、反对理性的对教育的攻击已经找到了新的同盟

军：那些相信圣经上文学词汇的人。堪萨斯州教育理事会刚刚推翻了该州官方科学标准中

的进化论。几个其他的州已经颁布了相似的反对进化政策，从而将宗教原教旨的感受凌驾

于整个生物科学所累积的证据之上。

Note:

Ally n. a person or organization that cooperates with or helps another in a

particular activity.

Excise v. to remove as if by cutting

e.g. The official censors have excised the controversial sections of the

report.

5. These policies do not actually ban the teaching of evolution, nor do they

mandate the teaching of “Creationism” ----biblical claim that the Earth and

all life on it were created in six days. They simply drop evolution from the

required curriculum. The goal of the religious activities is to keep students

ignorant of the theory of evolution, or to encourage the teaching of evolution

and Creationism side-by-side, as two "competing" theories.这些政策实际上并不

禁止教授进化论，他们也不命令教授特创论——圣经上说地球及其上的所有生命是在六天

中被创造出来的。他们只是在必修课程中排除了进化论。宗教活动的目的是令学生对进化

论的原理保持无知，或者是鼓励同时教授进化论和特创论，把他们作为两个相互竞争的理

论。

命令解除公立学校中的种族隔离Note:

Mandate v. To make mandatory, as by law; decree or require:

批准：制订一个训令，如通过法律；发布命令或要求：

e.g. mandated desegregation of public schools.

命令解除公立学校中的种族隔离

.g. Our delegates have been mandated to vote against the proposal at the

conference.

n. A command or an authorization given by a political electorate to its

representative.

授权：某政治代表机构给它的代表发出的命令或委任

e.g. The President had a clear mandate to end the war.

总统得到明确的授权结束那场战争。

e.g. After protracted consideration the national government had decided

to ask a mandate from the people.

国家政府经过长期考虑后, 决定征求民意。

6. Consider what this latter would mean in the classroom. On the one side,

teachers would present the theory of evolution, supported by countless

observations, all integrated into a comprehensive explanation of virtually

every fact in its field.考虑一下后一种做法在课堂上意味这什么吧。一方面，教师将呈现

进化论的原理，一个被无数观察者所支持，整合了对领域内每一个方面解释的综合理论。

7. On the other side, teachers would present -- what? All that the

Creationist view offers is the assertion by would-be authorities that an ancient

religious text reveals that 10,000 years ago God created the world in six days.

另一方面，教师将教授——什么？特创论信奉者的观点只是自诩为权威的人的断言，即一

部古老的宗教书揭示了一万年以前上帝在六天中创造了世界。

Note：

would-be: wanting or trying to be 想要成为，自称自诩。

e.g. Hollywood was full of would-be starlets.

译文：特创论信奉者的观点只是自诩为权威的人的断言，即一部古老的宗教文本揭示

了10,000年以前，上帝在六天内创造了世界。

8. Some of these religious activists claim that they reject the teaching of

evolution because it is "unproven," since it lacks "sufficient evidence."一些宗教

激进分子宣称他们反对教授进化论，因为它“未经证明”，由于它缺乏“充分的证据”

9. Yet their arguments systematically reject the need for proof and

evidence. Scientists can point to a billion-year-long fossil record of continuous

changes across a11 species as they develop from more-primitive to

present-day forms. They can point to the natural variations among members

of a species, variations that change from one climate to another as species

adapt to their environment. But the Creationist categorically dismisses the

evidence - because it contradicts biblical dogma.然而，他们的论点恰好系统地反对

检验和证据的需要。科学家们能够指出一百万年以来的化石记录，它记载了所有物种从原

始形态发展到今天的形态的持续变化。他们能够指出在中物种成员之间的自然变异，这些

为适应环境、随气候的变化而发生的变异。但是特创论的信奉者明确的拒绝这样的证据，

因为它与圣经教义相悖。

Note:

Categorically adv. 绝对地, 明确地,

e.g. One interesting fact is that even people who state categorically they

do not believe in mind over matter have themselves been cured by using a

placebo.

有趣的是，即使那些明确宣称根本就不相信意识支配物质 的人自己也采用过安慰

剂并得到康复。

dogma n. An authoritative principle, belief, or statement of ideas or

opinion, especially one considered to be absolutely true.

信条：有权威的原理、信仰或观念意见的陈述，尤指人们认为绝对正确

e.g. “The dogmas of the quiet past are inadequate to the stormy

present”(Abraham Lincoln)

“平静的过去时代的那些信条，不适用于暴风骤雨式的现代社会了”(亚伯拉罕·林肯)

e.g. This is a action born of dogma rather than good sense.

10. The central issue is not whether there is enough scientific evidence to

validate a particular conclusion - but whether science as such, rather than faith,

is the basis for arriving at conclusions. There can be no scientific debate

between these two positions. There can be no rational argument between a

view that rests on observation and reason, and one that rests on blind faith -

i.e., on its adherents' desire to believe something, irrespective of logic. 中心问

题不在于是否有足够的科学证据来证实某个特定的结论－而在于科学本身而非信仰，是否

是得到结论的基础。在这两种立场之间不可能有科学的辩论。一中观点依靠观察和推理，

另一种观点依靠盲目的信仰－即依靠追随者相信某件事的渴望而不考虑逻辑，在这两种观

点之间不可能有理性的争论。

Validate vt. 证实; 证明正确 使生效, 使有法律效力; 批准, 确认

e.g. validate a passport 使护照生效(在护照上签字)

Time validated our suspicion. 时间证实了我们的怀疑。

as such：表示上文所指明的事或人..；本身

e.g. He is a child, and must be treated as such.

他是个孩子，必须被当作孩子对待。

adherent n. 追随者, 拥护者, 信徒; 胶粘体

e.g. the adherents of materialism 唯物主义拥护者

adherent to the Communist Party 共产党拥护者

11. If the Creationist approach were taken seriously, what would remain of

education? If evidence and reasoning are to be "balanced" by faith or feeling -

what, then, would not belong in the curriculum? Even the theory that the Earth

is flat has proponents who feel it is true. More to the point, what is to stop

teachers from presenting any other nonrational view of the origin of man?

Why not give equal time to, say, the Nazi claim the white race descended from

the superior Aryans?假如特创论的观点被当真，那教育将剩下什么呢？如果证据和推理

被信仰和感觉所平衡，那么什么将不属于课程的一部分呢？即使地球是平的这样的理论也

有人认为它是正确的。此外，什么将阻止教师教授其他关于人类起源的非理性观点？为什

么不用同样的时间来讲解诸如纳粹认为白种人是源自高等雅利安人的观点？

to the point：Concerning or with relevance to the matter at hand:

切题的，切中的：有关正在讨论的事件的，或与正在讨论的事件有关的：

e.g. remarks that were to the point; 和本题相关的话；

rambled and would not speak to the point.

随便地乱讲却不讲与本题相关的

Aryan n. 亚利安语

亚利安人 (在纳粹德国指犹太人以外的白种人, 尤指北欧的)

12. The most ominous implication of the Creationist position is its belief

that, in judging the truth of an idea, one can simply ignore rational evidence -

if it clashes with one's desire to believe otherwise. This is a disastrous

methodology to inculcate in our children - and it is even more dangerous to

back it up with the ruling of a government body. 特创论立场最坏的暗示是它相信

在判断一个想法的真实性时，一个人完全可以忽视理性的证据－只要它与一个人相信其他

事情的愿望相冲突。把这样的方法论灌输给我们孩子是灾难性的－而用政府组织的统治来

支持这种观点则更加危险。

Inculcate v 1) To impress (something) upon the mind of another by

frequent instruction or repetition; instill:

反复灌输：通过不断的说明或重复以加深（某事）在别人心中的印象；灌输：

e.g. inculcating sound principles. 反复灌输正确的原则

2) To teach (others) by frequent instruction or repetition; indoctrinate: 谆

谆教诲：通过不断的说明或重复来教育（别人）；教训：

e.g. inculcate the young with a sense of duty.

向年轻人灌输责任感

13. The crucial role of education is to provide young people with the

information and methods they need in order to learn how to think

independently. Education has liberated mankind from the shackles of myth,

superstition and unchallenged tradition. But the prevailing trend - from both

the "progressive left" and the "religious right" -- is to reverse this

development, by enshrining feeling over facts and faith over reason. 教育的极

其重要角色是为年轻人提供

能够使学会如何独立思考的这些信息和方法。教育已经将人类从神话、迷信和未受质

疑的传统中解放了出来。但现在普遍的趋势——从“进步左翼”和“宗教右翼”两方面来

看－都在把感受凌驾于事实之上，把信仰凌驾于理性之上，这样做是在倒转发展的方向。

14. If campaigns such as the one against teaching evolution are

allowed to succeed, the ultimate result will be the extinction of

genuine education. 如果类似一个反对教授进化论的运动被允许取得成功，最

终的结果将是真正的教育的灭绝。

1. From the passage, we know that the genuine education is ___learning to

think_____.

A． teaching of facts. B． teaching of reasoning skills.

C． learning to think. D． both A and B.

2. What does the Progressive Education emphasize ______?

A． facts B． feelings

C． the facts of history, mathematics or geography. D． facts and feelings

3. From the passage, what does the anti-evolution policies really mean_______?

A． they support the teaching of evolution

B． they support the teaching of “Creationism”---the biblical claim that the

Earth and all life on it were created in six days

C． they support not only the teaching of evolution, but also the teaching of

“Creationism”---the biblical claim that the Earth and all life on it were created in

six days

D． they excise evolution from the required curriculum.

4. What is the purpose of religious activities_____?

A. to keep students ignorant of the theory of evolution.

B. to encourage the teaching of evolution and Creationism side-by-side, as

two “competing” theories.

C. to keep students knowing what is “Creationism”

D. to excise evolution from the required curriculum.

5. Why do the religious activists reject the teaching of evolution ____?

A. because evolution lacks “sufficient evidence.”

B. because religious activists dismiss the evidence.

C. because evolution contradicts biblical dogma

D. because the central issue is whether science as such, rather than faith, is the

basis for arriving at conclusions.

6. Which proof is not mentioned by Scientists who want to prove evolution is

true_____?

A. billion-year-long fossil record of continuous changes across all species as

they develop from more-primitive to present-day forms

B. the natural variations among members of a species, variations that change

from one climate to another as species adapt to their environment

C. both A and B D. evolution lacks “sufficient evidence.”

7. There is no scientific debate between these two positions what does the

author mean______?

A. science rests on observation and reason.

B. faith rests on blind faith.

C. the basis for arriving at conclusions is different between these two

positions.

D. science is enough scientific evidence to validate a particular conclusion.

8. For arriving at conclusions, science rests on_________________________________.

9. The ominous implication of the creationist position

is____________________________.

10. If a campaign which is against teaching evolution is allowed to succeed, it

will cause ________________________________________.

第一题，C

解析：定位原文第一段The essence of education is the teaching of facts and

reasoning skills to our children, so that they learn to think。

第二题，B

解析：定位原文第二段our schools have been under assault by an approach to

education that elevates feelings over facts.

Under the influence of Progressive Education – It is now more important than

getting him in touch with the facts of history, mathematics or geography.

第三题：D.

解析：定位原文：第五段These policies do not actually ban the teaching of

evolution, nor do they mandate the teaching of “Creationism”-the biblical claim

that the Earth and all life on it were created in six days .They simply drop evolution

from the required curriculum .

第四题：B

解析：定位原文：第五段The goal of the religious activities is to keep students

ignorant of the theory of evolution, or to encourage the teaching of evolution and

Creationism side-by-side, as two “competing” theories.

第五题：C

解析：第八段Some of these religious activists claim that they reject the teaching

of evolution because it is “unproven,” since it lacks “sufficient evidence.”第九段

But the Creationist categorically dismisses the evidence—because it contradicts

biblical dogma.

第六题：D

解析：第九段Scientists can point to a billion-year-long fossil record of

continuous changes across all species as they develop from more-primitive to

present-day forms. They can point to the natural variations among members of a

species, variations that change from one climate to another as species adapt to

their environment.

第七题:C

解析:第十段the central issue is not whether there is enough scientific evidence

to validate a particular conclusion-but whether science as such, rather than faith, is

the basis for arriving at conclusions, There can be no scientific debate between

these two positions. There can be no rational argument between a view that rests

on observation and reason, and one that rests on blind

第八题：observation and reason

解析：第十段the central issue is not whether there is enough scientific evidence

to validate a particular conclusion-but whether science as such, rather than faith, is

the basis for arriving at conclusions, There can be no scientific debate between

these two positions. There can be no rational argument between a view that rests

on observation and reason, and one that rests on blind

第九题：its belief that ,in judging the truth of an idea

或者judging the truth of an idea

解析：第十二段The most ominous implication of the creationist position is its

belief that ,in judging the truth of an idea

第十题：the extinction of genuine education

解析：If campaigns such as the one against teaching evolution are allowed to

succeed , the ultimate result will be the extinction of genuine education .