issue221 【today is the day小组】第7次作业 by woyun

woyunUID: 2522051

221. The chief benefit of the study of history is to break down the illusion that people in one period of time are significantly different from people who lived at any other time in history.

When it comes to the value of history, the speaker asserts that it is to break the illusion that people in one period of time are significantly different from people who lived at another time in history which ignores another illusion which is contrary to the speaker's. In my opinion, with the development of society, difference and sameness coexist between us and our ancestors, and the benefit of history is to find out both of them, thus leading us to a bright future.
      
To begin with, studying history is vital in helping us feel the similarity between now and the past, serving useful purpose for solving certain immediate problems. On a personal level, the natural attributes of human would never alter which range from clothes, food, living and traveling to the birth, the death and the illness. This is why the ancient Chinese medicine and treatment are also enjoying a remarkable popularity today. In the mental realm, no matter in the past or now, on one hand, people are always pursuing the success and a happier life; on the other hand, individual always tends to be greedy and selfish. Therefore, a multitude of ancient proverbs and principles are also suitable today, such as the renowned adage of Confucius - teach according to his ability. On a social level, we are also facing an array of issues, such as the mutual respect among people, the war, the competition between countries and so on. Confronted with those issues, we can draw inspiration from the history. Take the ancient Chinese distinguished book <<the art of war>> as a typical example. Logical and idealistic, it is still play an important role in toady’s business and martial realm.

However, history informs us that people in different periods share different characteristics, which is extremely significant. After all, with the development of society, a host of things including people's material living condition, personal value, customs, manners, the most important problems, challenges and so forth are changing. As a result, considering those different areas, we are not supposed to accept certain historical views blindly; otherwise it would be counterproductive to the development of the society. For instance, in the ancient China, women are not allowed to go to school which should undoubtedly be forbidden today. Another, today, we should not pollute the environment in an attempt to improve the economy which might seem absurd in the past. So, before having a better understanding of the differences between now and the past, it is dangerous for us to apply the whole historical ideas to today's life.

In addition, history also figures prominently in other aspects. In the first place, it is history that provides us indispensible impute on the way to the success. This is especially true in learning the history of some celebrated individuals. Francis Bacon, a famous British philosopher, once said:" Histories make men wise." Newton teaches us to form a habit of thinking and observing; Copernicus informs us to be insistent to the truth; Edison indoctrinates us to never give up. Moreover, history can avoid us to repeating some same mistakes. In the scientific realm, history informs us that it is unwise for us to defy a new theory without ample proofs. Examples such as Copernicus and Harvey come immediately into mind whose theories suffered from a host of critics but were proofed later.

In sum, history serves us well in numerous areas. The brief benefit of history is to assist us to draw a distinction between the people in one period of time and the people who lived at another time. Only after we clarify this, will the history benefits us in other aspects; otherwise, we may be plunged into a dilemma.


[ 本帖最后由 woyun 于 2008-8-9 17:55 编辑 ]

revealingUID: 2507748

221. The chief benefit of the study of history is to break down the illusion that people in one period of time are significantly different from people who lived at any other time in history.

When it comes to the value of history, 很巧妙，避免一上来就是the speaker... the speaker asserts that it is to break the illusion that people in one period of time are significantly different from people who lived at another time in history which ignores another illusion which is contrary to the speaker's. In my opinion, with the development of society, difference and sameness coexist between us and our ancestors, and the benefit of history is to find out both of them, thus leading us to a bright future.
      
To begin with, studying history is vital in helping us feel the similarity between now and the past, serving useful purpose for solving certain immediate problems. On a personal level, the natural attributes of human would never alter which range from clothes, food, living and traveling 衣食住行？clothing, food,shelter and weans of travel to the birth, the death and the illness. This is why the ancient Chinese medicine and treatment are also enjoying a remarkable popularity today. 但我觉得这个和中医(traditional Chinese medical science)关系不是很大,尤其是衣食住行……没理解这个因果关系In the mental realm, no matter in the past or now, on one hand, people are always pursuing the success and a happier life; on the other hand, individual always tends to be greedy and selfish. Therefore, a multitude of ancient proverbs and principles are also suitable today, such as the renowned adage of Confucius - teach according to his ability.因材施教？teach students in accordance with their aptitude.但说实话，我也没发现这个与前面的人性不变有什么联系 On a social level, we are also facing an array of issues, such as the mutual respect among people, the war, the competition between countries and so on. Confronted with those issues, we can draw inspiration from the history. Take the ancient Chinese distinguished book <<the art of war>> 应该不用书名号吧，不过Art和War要大写。这个可以再问问别人，我也不是很清楚as a typical example. Logical and idealistic我感觉这两个应该用副词, it is still play an important role in toady’s business and martial realm. 总之，我觉得这段的看法挺好的，例子也挺多的，就是觉得例子和论证之间关系不大。而且你这些还都是中国例子，如果你的判分老师根本不懂中国，那他就更不明白了……当然，第三个例子还可以

However, history informs us that people in different periods share different characteristics, which is extremely significant. After all, with the development of society, a host of things including people's material living condition, personal value, customs, manners, the most important problems, challenges and so forth are changing. As a result, considering those different areas, we are not supposed to accept certain historical views blindly; otherwise it would be counterproductive to the development of the society. For instance, in the ancient China, women are not allowed to go to school which should undoubtedly be forbidden today. Another, today, we should not pollute the environment in an attempt to improve the economy which might seem absurd in the past. So, before having a better understanding of the differences between now and the past, it is dangerous for us to apply the whole historical ideas to today's life.是不是再加一个全段的总结句，强调一下the benefit of study of history

In addition, history also figures prominently in other aspects. In the first place, it is history that provides us indispensible impute 没读懂on the way to the success. This is especially true in learning the history of some celebrated individuals. Francis Bacon, a famous British philosopher, once said:" Histories make men wise." Newton teaches us to form a habit of thinking and observing; Copernicus informs us to be insistent to the truth; Edison indoctrinates us to never give up. Moreover, history can avoid us to repeating some same mistakes. In the scientific realm, history informs us that it is unwise for us to defy a new theory without ample proofs. Examples such as Copernicus and Harvey come immediately into mind whose theories suffered from a host of critics but were proofed later. Harvey的故事我没听说过，不知道ETS是不是同样，如果有时间可以展开一下。另外就是这两个例子与avoid repeating mistakes关系似乎不大，你如果想写的话，也最好加上一些我们现在是如何利用这些经验教训或者该如何利用

In sum, history serves us well in numerous areas. The brief benefit of history is to assist us to draw a distinction between the people in one period of time and the people who lived at another time. Only after we clarify this, will the history benefits us in other aspects;喜欢这个倒装 otherwise, we may be plunged into a dilemma.