Unit 12 Onwards and Upwards

Unit 12 Onwards and Upwards Contemporary College English Book IV

Contents Warm-up 1 Background Information 2 Text Appreciation 3 Language Study 4 Extension 5

Answer the following questions. What’s the traditional definition of progress? Do you agree with the author that in the rich world today at least, the idea of progress has become impoverished? Do you agree that today while we are advancing quickly in our economy, our moral life and our society are “treading water” as the author called it? Warm-up 1

Answer the following questions. 3. In the human history of the last three or four centuries, there have been many great minds who have been telling us how we can make steady progress and make the world a happy place for everybody. Can you list some of those ideas? Warm-up 1

1. The Enlightenment It refers to an intellectual movement originating in France, which attracted widespread interest among the intellectuals of Europe and North America in the second half of the 18th century, sometimes called the Age of Reason. Its advocates were writers and philosophers such Background Information 2

as Diderot and Voltaire who, inspired by Issac Newton and John Locke, believed in happiness as the ultimate good, in reason as the instrument by which governments should promote, and in the rule of law and civil liberties. Their teachings on social and political questions were profoundly revolutionary, attacking the divine right of kings, social privileges, etc. , paving the way for the American, French and other revolutions. Background Information 2

2. Pandora’s box Pandora is the first woman in Greek mythology created by Zeus for revenge against Prometheus, who had given humankind the fire the stole from Zeus. Pandora, sent to Prometheus’ brother, brought with her a box which she had been forbidden to open. Overcome with curiosity, she opened the box and all the evils of the human race escaped with Hope remaining at the bottom of the box. Background Information 2

Text Structure: Introduction (1) The idea of progress—the backdrop to society (2-8) History of the idea of progress (9-24) Conclusion: Susan’s book on moral sensibility (25-28) Text Appreciation 3

II. The idea of progress—the backdrop to society (2-8) A. The idea of progress in the 18th and 19th centuries (2) B. Supposed agents of progress (3) C. Importance of the idea of progress (4-8) Text Appreciation 3

III. History of the idea of progress (9-24) A. Demonstration of the idea in source of progress (9) B. Rebuttal of the language and community of the source of progress (10-12) C. Rebuttal of the modern-age belief in science as the source of progress (13-17) D. Rebuttal of the belief in economic growth as the modern source of progress (18-21) E. Moral sensibility and governance (22-24) Text Appreciation 3

Sentence Paraphrase: 1. …In the rich world today, the idea of progress has become impoverished. Through complacency and bitter experience, the scope of progress has narrowed. (para. 1) Text Appreciation 3 …In the rich world today, the idea of progress has lost much of its power and become much narrower in its meaning.

2. It was not always like that. There has been a tension between seeking perfection in life or in the afterlife.(para.2) Text Appreciation 3 The idea of progress has not always been so impoverished and narrow. There has been a contention between progress as defined to reach perfection in life and progress as defined to be saved and allowed to go to heaven after you die. (We can take it as a tension between the religious and nonreligious/secular on progress.)

3. The point is not that science is harmful, but that progress in science does not map tidily onto progress of humanity. (para. 16) Text Appreciation 3 The question is not that science is harmful, but that progress in science does not always mean progress for humanity. Onward movement scientifically and technologically does not equal forward march of human beings morally and spiritually.

4. Such values are the institutional face of the fundamental engines of progress… (para. 25) Text Appreciation 3 Such values are expressed in our institutions that drive us to make progress. The author is most likely referring to government, legal, religious, and educational institutions, etc.

Phrases and Expressions: 1. a term of abuse (para. 1) A term is a word or phrase with exact meaning. A term of abuse is a harsh or insulting term. 2. bursting with （para. 2） full of; overflowing with; teeming with Language Study 4

3. for aeons (para. 6) for ages 4. be clothed in (para. 11) to be covered with; to be wrapped up with; to appear in the shape of be subsumed into (para. 11) to be placed under a more general principle Language Study 4

5. for good (para. 13) for ever 6. map onto (para. 16) to connect with 7. by and large (para. 18) in general; in most cases Language Study 4

Writing: Comment on any of the following remarks and write an essay of about 400 words. Technologies can be used for ill as well as good. Science needs governing. GDP does not measure welfare; and wealth does not equal happiness. Extension 5

Thank You!

Unit 12 Onwards and Upwards