Unit 8 Knowledge And Wisdom

Pre-reading questions  How do you define "wisdom?" For your own part,do you think knowledge and wisdom are the same?  What are the benefits of knowledge and wisdom respectively? Could you image that knowledge can do any harm?

Background information Bertrand Arthur William Russel( ),who was born in Monmouth shire,England,was one of the greatest philosophers,mathematicians,liberal political theorists,and authors of the twentieth century.

Structural analysis of the text  This text is neatly structured, with the first paragraph introducig the topic and the other four paragraph elaborating on it. Each of the four paragraphs discusses one factor that contributes to wisdom. Now identify the topic sentence of paragraphs 2-5 and the four factors that constitute wisdom.  Note that the author's discussion of the quetion "what can be done to teach wisdom" has been left out.

1. Text analysis Part I Part I This part serves as an introduction. This part serves as an introduction. Only the first part of the essay -what contributes to wisdom --is included in this except. Only the first part of the essay -what contributes to wisdom --is included in this except. Language work Language work 1.surpass----exceed, be greater than 1.surpass----exceed, be greater than 2.cease---come to an end 2.cease---come to an end 3. means---a method that enables a purpose to be fulfilled 3. means---a method that enables a purpose to be fulfilled

1. Text analysis Part II Part II This part is the main body of the essay.The four paragraphs tell us whatwisdom is. This part is the main body of the essay.The four paragraphs tell us whatwisdom is. Language work Language work 1. contribute to---help to cause or bring about 1. contribute to---help to cause or bring about 2. take account of---take into consideration 2. take account of---take into consideration 3. attach due weight to---ascribe proper importance to 3. attach due weight to---ascribe proper importance to 4.be engaged in---be busy, spend some time in doing sth. 4.be engaged in---be busy, spend some time in doing sth.

7. succeed in---achieve what one aims or wants to do 7. succeed in---achieve what one aims or wants to do 8.populous---densely populated 8.populous---densely populated 9. spectacular---strikingly large and obvious 9. spectacular---strikingly large and obvious 10.pursuit---the action of trying to get, achievee or find sth.in a determined way 10.pursuit---the action of trying to get, achievee or find sth.in a determined way

Rhetorical features of the text parallelim e.g. But it is possible to make a continual approachtowards impartiality,on the one hand,by knowing things some what remote in time or space, and on the other hand,by giving to such thigs their due weight in our feelings.

Oral activities Please make comments on Hegel's view, as described in the text, that "from the year 400AD down to his own time Germany had been the most important nation and the standard-bearer of progress in the world."How would you disprove this argument with your knowledge of world history and Hegel's philosophical view of history?

Verse appreciation Not less we praise in darker days The leader of our nation And Churchill’s name shall win acclaim From each new generation For you have power in danger’s hour Our freedom to defend, Sir! Though long the fight we know that right Will triumph in the end, Sir!

Thank you!