O-Level英文写作素材：“理性”是人类独有的特质吗?

　　通过O-Level考试后，拿到新加坡O-Level考试录取通知书是多么幸福的一件事，那现在就为提高新加坡O-Level考试成绩努力奋斗吧!下面课窝O-Level带大家积累O-Level英文写作素材：“理性”是人类独有的特质吗?

　　This is our new section,

　　“Read, Think, Write” (阅、思、书),

　　in which insightful articles, and other materials would be shared. Articles in this section would first discuss briefly an article (news, essay etc.) that is considered meaningful to both your learning and your understanding of the world, and links would be put at the end of each discussion.

　　There would be:

　　FIRST

　　The link to the original article.

　　SECOND

　　The link to a consolidated, annotated version of the article, where the argumentative flow of the article would be carefully pointed out, with examples and points separated (and with slight rephrases). Key words and good vocabulary would also be noted. This version is useful for your exam preparation should you choose to write an essay on the relevant topic.

　　A

　　udience

　　O Level, A Level, and beyond.

　　Anyone interested in

　　improving his/her reading and writing skills.

　　Do share this to your friends!

　　导读

　　Synopsis

　　Humankind has long walked this earth and dominated it – subjecting other species to its control. One of the reasons we humans love to cite is the supremacy of human reason – the ability to think in abstract terms, articulate thoughts and process information through inference-making and connection-drawing. Reason has been the soil that nourishes our minds and give life to our achievements, and what’s better – it is ours and ours alone – no other species, no animals, not to mention plants, have this capability. It is uniquely human – the most distinctive difference which marks us human and elevates us to a higher position than other lifeforms.

　　We therefore, are fit to rule.

　　Interestingly, this view, which predates the waves of rational, scientific experimentation, is not discarded amidst the surging currents of empirical, realist approach and methods to natural phenomena marked by the Scientific Revolution (the emergence of modern sciences grounded by observations of Sir Issac Newton, and other leading scientists). This human-centric, and human-supremacist standpoint could be traced in Medieval theo-philosophy(中世纪时期的宗教哲学). In the Great Chain of Beings (存在巨链) espoused by Christianity, Man is placed below spiritual entities (God, then Angels), and above all other material beings (animals, plants, minerals) – Man is the king and master of the physical created world, and rules over all other creatures.

　　Related to the Man’s superior position on earth is the nature of existence accorded to Man: a unique being that straddles and bridges the spiritual realm of God and the physical realm. This special capacity to exist on both immaterial and material planes is God’s graces given to humanity only – the ability to reason and worship, which entails the spiritual yearning for higher purposes (in this case, religious piety and service) and the search for meaning (religious solace). In other words, Man’s supremacy is based on rationality, and in this explanatory framework, rationality is defined as the perception and acceptance of religious values and spiritual salvation through Christian piety.

　　The Enlightenment thinkers centuries after vehemently denounced many religiously-based ideas as superstitious beliefs that should not be tolerated in a scientific worldview, as they sought to demolish foundations of “old knowledge”, building new ones on “sounder” grounds of empirical observations, scientific calculations and logical deductions.

　　Previously cherished ‘truths’ were re-examined and cast aside for their lack of convincing evidence, and radical, secular ideas were put forward. In all areas, knowledge was re-assessed and revolutionized – yet, the medieval idea of human uniqueness had seldom been challenged. Isn’t it strange?

　　Justin E H Smith, a professor of history and philosophy of science at the Université Paris Diderot, challenges us to think about our assumed definition of “human reason”. His new book, Irrationality: A History of the Dark Side of Reason, published via Princeton University Press, examines this question in greater details. I challenge you to be open-minded and read this short extract which summarises his major arguments, and question your own beliefs as well.

　　Some questions

　　you should consider

　　before/while/after you read ·

　　(do try to write down your arguments for the “Why” questions! Your practice may be useful in your future exams)

　　1.What is “reason”?

　　2.How many ways has Professor Smith defined reason?

　　3.What are the bases for his various definitions? Read more online!

　　4.What is “scientific evidence”?

　　5.Can we exclude emotional bias or other non-scientific agendas from inquiry?

　　6. What are the implications of a broadened/improved definition of “reason”?

　　7. What makes us human?

　　新加坡留学生们若想了解olevel培训学费、olevel网络课程以及olevel报名考试等问题都可以在线咨询我们哦!