issue147 背水一战小组作业

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issue147

“Tradition and modernization are in compatible. One must choose between them.”

Outline

1、一些情况下，传统和现代不兼容，必须选择其一，此时大多是传统过时

2、不能因为传统可能存在的问题而否定它，应该看到传统的积极作用

3、大多数情况下二者兼容，二者的结合更为有利

Must we choose one between tradition and modernization? In certain cases the two are mutually incompatible. For the most part, however, modernization and tradition are two significant parts to us as a society; in fact, in many cases we can benefit from the combination of the two.

Admittedly, in certain instances, there are plenty of disputes between tradition and modernization, and we must take one from the two. History is filled with examples that tradition and modernization exclude each other. Copernicus, a great Polish astronomer, advanced the heliocentric ordering of the planets--the earth and other planets revolve around the sun. This theory disrupted the traditional system of astronomy--Ptolemy Theory. The controversy among these two theories was so intense that it lasted for centuries. People that time chose between these two theories difficultly. All in all, in some cases, tradition and modernization are mutually exclusive and we must choose one.

However, we can not utterly deny functions of tradition just because of falsities it once had or might have. Moreover, tradition has paramount effects on our understanding of modernization and planning the future. Traditional data include evidence about how families groups institution and whole countries were formed and about how they have evolved while retaining cohesion. Through traditional mores, values and ideals, we understand the modernization profoundly and establish and confirm social identity. And great achievements in the past inspire us to work hard for our fruits. Mistakes of the past which are also helpful can teach us as a society how to avoid repeating those mistakes in the future. In short, the deeper understanding we acquire in the past, the deeper perception we have about modernization and the more sagacious decisions we make in the present.

Finally, for the most part, tradition and modernization can mutually sustain one another. As time passed by, some traditions--once useful and beneficial--become banal or unsuitable inevitably because of new situations. And combination of tradition and modernization is extremely necessary. One striking example is system of laws in the U.S. Written over 200 years ago, the constitution of the United States still works as well today as it did then. Its aims and essence, which deeply rooted in English common-law principle of equality and justice, has never changed. And it known has been amended 27 times following new conditions, so the document is known a "living document" because it can be amended.

To sum up, tradition and modernization do not necessarily exclude each other. In the contrary, they can mutually sustain one another and our society can well benefit from the combination of the two.