读书与人性:我们是好人吗?
Reading and Human Nature: Are We Good People?
Script
原文Key Vocabulary
词汇Noun. The study of living organisms. Contains 生 (life/birth) + 物 (thing) + 学 (study).
Adjective. Thinking only of oneself. Common collocation: 这个人很自私 (This person is very selfish).
Verb/Noun. To strive against others to win. Example: 激烈的竞争 (fierce competition).
Adjective. Opposite of 乐观 (lèguān - optimistic). Literally 'sad view'.
Verb/Noun. Working together for a common goal. Common phrase: 互相合作 (cooperate with each other).
Noun. The actual facts of a situation. Literally 'true image'.
Grammar Points
语法既...也/又...
Expressing 'both... and...'. Used to list two qualities or actions that exist simultaneously.
我们既不是完全自私的,也不是完全无私的。
真相是,人既会合作,也会竞争。
为了... (Subject) + Verb
Indicates purpose, meaning 'in order to...' or 'for the sake of...'.
达尔文认为,人为了生存而竞争。
为了成功,我们必须赢。
如果...就...
Standard conditional construction: 'If..., then...'.
如果你读过,你可能会不开心。
如果没人看着我们,我们就拿更多的钱。
让 + Object + Adjective/Verb
Causative verb meaning 'to make' or 'to let' someone/something do something or become a certain way.
经典的生物学让我们觉得人性很冷酷。
好的规则让欺骗变得很难。
并不是...
Used to emphatically negate a statement, meaning 'it is not the case that...' or 'actually not...'.
并不是所有人都同意达尔文。