基础英语 Groundless Beliefs.ppt

But the meaning of this term might be understood in a broader sense. It may include his concern for position, popularity, fame, respect, love, etc. Paragraph 15 But we may extend the term to cover also his interest in social position; popularity with his fellows; the respect and goodwill of those whose respect and goodwill he values. (Para. 15) extend the meaning of the word Many people are forced to hold a belief because he has become an important person in his group. If he gave up that belief, he would turn insignificant at once. There is many a man who is unconsciously compelled to cling to a belief because he is a “somebody” in some circle—and if he were to abandon that belief, he would find himself nobody at all. (Para. 15) There are many people an important person in a certain group of people who know each other Paragraph 16 Putting it broadly, we should always suspect any of our opinions when we recognize that our happiness depends, directly or indirectly, upon our continuing to hold them—when we might lose anything, material or otherwise by changing our opinion. (Para. 16) If by changing our opinions we might lose something and therefore be unhappy, we must be suspicious about these opinions and try to find out whether we are not being blinded by our self-interest. Paragraph 17 Somewhat similar is the acceptance of an opinion through the desire—probably not recognized by the person concerned—to justify his own nature, his own position, or his own behavior. (Para. 17) Accepting an opinion through the desire is also the same case. The desire of defending our weaknesses, mistakes, vulnerable positions or wrongdoings becomes another factor to accept a groundless opinion easily. Here it is no longer the interest to gain but the interest to avoid losing certain things. The lazy and stupid person can readily adopt a set of opinions without questioning why, since they clearly know that these opinions are unobtainable to them, only people who have energy and ability