高等学校研究生英语教材-综合教程(上篇)主编熊海虹课件第七章.ppt

Content Starting out Reading Focus Reading More Practical Translation Focused Writing Final Project Task 1 What distinguishes human beings from other animals? Work with your partner to list the behavior that is unique to human beings, that is unique to other animals and that they have in common. (P191) Based on what you’ve listed above, discuss with your partner the differences between human beings and other animals in terms of their nature and instincts. (P191) Task 2 The following viewpoints concerning human nature were contended by three prominent philosophers in ancient China. Who do you agree with? Do you agree completely or partly? Give specific examples to support your opinion. (P191) Confucius: humans (or at least male humans) possess the capacity for perfection, although they must consciously strive to actualize it. Mencius: human nature is good, and people are naturally inclined toward virtue. Unfortunately, the negative elements of society tend to corrupt many people, and only a few are able to overcome them. Laozi: humans at birth are like uncarved blocks of wood (pu) and as they get older, society molds and shapes them. Education brutalizes people and creates the seeds of social turmoil and negative behavior. On Human Nature Watch a video clip from the American hit TV drama series Prison Break, and discuss with the group: Michael Scofield said at the end of the clip: “The man you’re talking about died the moment I stepped into these walls.” Do you think Sara, the prison doctor, would take his word for it? Task 2 Choose the sentence that best expresses the meaning of the sentence from the text. (P198) 1. Each man sees himself as unique, and so far as he is concerned the hub of the universe, different from any other individual. (Para. 3) In this sentence, the stem part is “each man sees himself as unique and