研究生英语高级教程unit8_9_11.doc

. . . . How to Live and Love in the 21st Century [1] There are many reasons to think quotidian ethics matter. For one, go back to Aristotle, the inventor of what has come to be known as virtue ethics. Aristotle recognized that human beings are essentially creatures of habit. If we want to be good, we have to get into the habit of being good. And habits are formed by constant repetition of behaviors. The daily practice of civility and politeness helps, because it reinforces a regard for others and concern for their welfare. Another reason to be worried about small acts of virtue is that life is, on the whole, made up of small things. Most of us manage to avoid murdering people or stealing their cars．Among the majority, what makes the difference between people we think of as good and those we regard as selfish, mean or just disagreeable, is very much how they behave over myriad small issues. Just think about the nicest people you know and most of the time you’ll discover that your regard for them is not based on their tireless work to eradicate world poverty, but a basic decency expressed through their everyday dealings with others． [2] Just as good character comes from the bottom up, so does a good society. This is why the idea of clamping down on anti-social behavior builds on a genuine insight. Respect for our fellow citizens starts with a respect for their right to leave a train without having to push past others trying to get on, or to sit on a bus without having someone shouting in their ears the whole way．So it is that good manner and civility need to be reclaimed by social progressives．Forget etiquette：it really doesn’t matter how you hold your fork or which way you pass the port. What matters is how you treat your host and fellow guests. It’s not primarily a question of rules; it’s a question of having an attitude of respect and consideration. Still, rules help, even if they are only of thumb. Here are some of ours.