十教育纵横◆|. Theory of Evo l ut i on:A H i story of Controversy 在争论中前行的进化谂 潇 影/编注 eory of organic evolution set off shock waves that continue to the world. What makes evolution such a profoundly provocative concept,SO convincing。to most scientists,yet SO socially and politically divisive47 The Theory of Evolution:A History of Controversy is an examination of the varied elements that SO often make this science the object of strong sentiments and heated debate. Professor Edward J.Lamon leads you through the“evolution”of evolution,with an eye toward enhancing6 your understanding of the development of the theory itself and the roots of the controversies that surround it.In these lectures you will: ・Explore pre-Darwinian theories of the origins of life. ・Follow the life and work of Chades Darwin,and the impact of his 1 859 masterpiece On the Origin ofSpecies. ・Examine the history of evolutionary science撕er Darwin. Are Our Genes More Important than We Are?’ This course makes it clear that the history of controversy surrounding evolution is not limited to a dispute between science and religion.Even within the scientific community,the fine details of the theory of evolution have long been a matter of passionate dispute.。 In fact,in the last third of the 1 9th century ,the principal objections were scientific,not religious.Although the fossilm record was a key piece of evidence for evolution,it had gaps“ that could be used to argue against the theory.And both proponents and critics wondered how altruistic human qualities such as love and generosity could possibly have evolved
Notes:1.本句意为:查尔斯・达尔文的生物进化理论 6.enhance促进,提高。 所激起的冲击波依然影响着世界。organic 7.本句大意为:我们的基因比我们作为一 evolution生物进化。set off激起,引起。shock 个整体的人更重要吗? waves冲击波。reverberate『ri'vz:b ̄reit]余波8.本句意为:即使在科学领域内部,进化论 连连,不断发生后效。 的许多细节也一直是激烈争论的焦点。 2.provocative引发争论的,引人深思的。 9.in the last third of the 19th century 3.convincing有说服力的。 十九世纪最后三十多年间。 4・divisiVe造成不和的,引起分歧的。 10・fossil化石。 \ 5.sentiment情绪。 11.gap间隙,漏洞。 l
l I 该文是有关哈佛大学Edward J.La ̄on教授所讲课程Theory ofEvolution:A History of lControversy的简介。 1 0 l l 4O @⑨叩@ @嚏响⑨06s响 .1.教育纵横 through the competitive,often harsh,processes that Darwin described. From Professor Larson’S presentation,you will learn that new ideas in evolution science have often created new controversies.For example,is it truly possible,as some scientists nOW maintain,that humans exist merely to ensure the survival of their genes?Such research has created disagreement among scientists about the degree to which evolution drives human behavior,and has further alienated many segments of the public. 。 Evolution’S“Dark Side’’:Social Darwinism In these lectures,you will review perhaps the most sinisterM controversy associated with the theory of evolution:social Darwinism.From the beginning,the Darwinian theory of evolution has been linked to economic and political views.Thomas Malthus’S theories of population growth and competition for limited resources even inspired Darwin’S thinking on natural selection. Unfortunately,later supporters of evolution carried this line of thinking too far.Beginning with Herbert Spencer坫,who coined the term“survival of the fittest”,Darwin’S ideas were used as evidence for a wide range of social beliefs,from laissez-faire capitalism"to racism,colonialism,and,in perhaps the worst application,Nazism. A Pulitzer Prize—Winning Teacher As both a historian of science and a professor of law, Professor Edward J.Larson brings exceptional qualifications to this subject.His book won the 1 998 Pulitzer Prize in History.His analysis provides an invaluable perspective on the volatile history of what is arguably the single most significant idea of modem times.墙 园 From http://www.thegreatcourses.con
12.本句大意为:但支持者和批评者都对一点 感到困惑不解,那就是.人类诸如爱和宽容 等美德,怎么可能通过达尔文所描述的那 种常常惨烈至极的竞争过程得以进化呢? proponent支持者。altruistic[. ̄eltm istik】利 他的,无私的。 13.这两句大意为:如,现在一些科学家还依然 质疑的,人类生存真可能是只为确保其基 因的存续吗?此类研究已在科学界引发分 歧(在进化究竟多大程度激励人类行为的 问题上,科学家不能达成一致),同时也加 重了民众的疑问。alienate reiljaneit]使疏 远,使转向。segment部分,部门。 14.sinister险恶的,不幸的,不祥的。 15.本句意为:马尔萨斯关于人口增长及争夺 有限资源的理论,甚至启发了达尔文对自 然选择的思考。Thomas Malthus托马斯・马 尔萨斯,英国十八、十九世纪经济学家,以 其所著《人口论》闻名。 16.Herbeft Spencer赫伯特・斯宾塞.英国十九 世纪哲学家、社会学家。 17.1aissez—faire capitalism自由资本主义。 18.本句大意为:Larson教授的分析为现代最 伟大思想(尽管存有异议)的历史演变提 供了一个弥足珍贵的审读视角。 volatile["v31otail】多变的,不稳定的。 @⑥00@ @匡响 06 D=0 4 1