怀化市城乡建设用地空间合理布局研究.docx

Lesson 8
We're Only Human
Part 1 (paras. 1—) about:
Part 2 (paras. ) about:
Part 3 (paras. ) about:
Part 4 (para. ) about:
Structure of the text
7
8—23
24—29
30
Clashing definitions of humanity
Three core elements for a true human
Pleasure principle
Further probe into conscience
Part I (1-7):Clashing definitions of humanity
Questions: (Para. 1-2)
1. What does the author want to address in the first para.?
2. When some people say that they are only human, what do they mean? Does the author agree? Why does she call it "the final excuse"? The final excuse for doing what?
3. What is the author's definition of humanity?
People no longer admit that every person has a free will to decide what to do or not to do, and therefore should not be responsible for their actions or behavior. The author is referring to the behaviorist theory that human behavior is a response to external stimulation, and therefore is genes-determined. In this sense human beings have no free will; they are all victims of these external causes as a group.
人们不再承认自己都具有自由意志或责任。每个人都是某种因果关系的产物。个体不复存在,只有团体中的牺牲者。
Nobody is acknowledged to have free will or responsibility any more. Everyone is the product of causation. There are no longer individuals, just victims in groups. (1)
Behaviorist theory: Human behavior is response to external situation and therefore is genes-determined.
In this sense, huma