摘要：Knowledge is fundamental to human existence, shaping our understanding of the world and influencing our actions and decisions. It

高效记单词：《新概念英语1词汇专练》

英汉双语阅读95：西部电影鼻祖“双枪比尔” 威廉・S・哈特

一、生词准备

1. fundamental /ˌfʌndəˈmentl/ adj. 基本的；根本的；重要的

2. encompass /ɪnˈkʌmpəs/ v. 包含；包括；涉及；包围

3. navigate /ˈnævɪɡeɪt/ v. 导航；航行；找到正确方法（对付困难复杂的情况）

4. dynamic /daɪˈnæmɪk/ adj. 动态的；有活力的；不断变化的

5. disseminate /dɪˈsemɪneɪt/ v. 传播；散布（信息、知识等）

6. empirical /ɪmˈpɪrɪkl/ adj. 以经验（或观察）为依据的；经验主义的

7. procedural /prəˈsiːdʒərəl/ adj. 程序上的；程序性的

8. conceptual /kənˈseptʃuəl/ adj. 概念的；观念的

9. explicit /ɪkˈsplɪsɪt/ adj. 明确的；清楚明白的；直言的

10. tacit /ˈtæsɪt/ adj. 心照不宣的；不言而喻的；默许的

11. codify /ˈkəʊdɪfaɪ/ v. 编纂；将… 编成法典；编成法典

12. intuition /ˌɪntjuˈɪʃn/ n. 直觉；直觉力

13. interdisciplinary /ˌɪntəˈdɪsəplɪnəri/ adj. 跨学科的；多学科的

14. instantaneous /ˌɪnstənˈteɪniəs/ adj. 瞬间的；立即的；即时的

15. skepticism /ˈskeptɪsɪzəm/ n. 怀疑态度；怀疑主义

二、短文内容

Knowledge is fundamental to human existence, shaping our understanding of the world and influencing our actions and decisions. It encompasses the information, facts, skills, and insights individuals acquire through learning, experience, and observation. Knowledge allows us to navigate life, make sense of our surroundings, solve problems, and create new ideas and innovations. It is a dynamic and evolving entity that continually expands and transforms as discoveries are made and new perspectives emerge.

The acquisition and application of knowledge have been central to human progress and development throughout history. From the earliest civilizations to the modern age, knowledge has been passed down from generation to generation, forming the basis of cultures, societies, and civilizations. It has been disseminated through various means, such as oral tradition, written texts, educational institutions, and the digital age’s technological advancements.

Knowledge can be categorized into different forms and disciplines. It includes factual knowledge, which pertains to information that can be objectively verified and validated. This includes scientific principles, historical events, mathematical formulas, and empirical observations. Another category is procedural knowledge, which refers to performing specific tasks or skills, such as riding a bicycle, playing an instrument, or driving a car. Additionally, there is conceptual knowledge, which involves understanding abstract concepts, theories, and frameworks that help us organize and interpret information.

Furthermore, knowledge can be further divided into explicit and tacit knowledge. Explicit knowledge is codified and easily transferable through language, symbols, or other forms of representation. It can be found in books, databases, manuals, and other documented sources. On the other hand, tacit knowledge is more personal and difficult to formalize or communicate. It resides within individuals based on their experiences, intuition, and expertise. Tacit knowledge often plays a crucial role in practical and creative endeavors, as it involves applying implicit understanding and skills.

The pursuit of knowledge is driven by innate human curiosity, the desire to better understand the world and ourselves. It involves asking questions, seeking answers, exploring new frontiers, and challenging existing beliefs and assumptions. Knowledge is often interconnected and interdependent, with different disciplines and domains influencing and building upon one another. The interdisciplinary approach has become increasingly important as complex problems and challenges require diverse perspectives and expertise.

In the digital age, knowledge has become more accessible than ever before. The internet has revolutionized how we access and share information, enabling instantaneous global communication and collaboration. Online platforms, educational resources, and open-source initiatives have democratized knowledge, allowing people from diverse backgrounds to learn, contribute, and benefit from collective intelligence.

However, the abundance of information in the digital era also poses challenges. Discriminating between reliable and inaccurate information, navigating vast amounts of data, and avoiding information overload have become essential skills. Critical thinking, skepticism, and the ability to evaluate sources and evidence have become increasingly important in the face of misinformation, fake news, and biased narratives.

三、短文注释

1. human existence：人类生存。在哲学和文化中，一直是探讨的核心话题，从古代思想家对生命意义的思考，到现代社会对人类可持续发展的研究，都围绕着人类如何在世界中存在和发展。

2. oral tradition：口头传承（口耳相传）。许多古老文化如非洲、美洲原住民文化，依赖口头传统传承历史、神话和价值观，像《荷马史诗》最初也是通过口头传唱流传下来的。

3. written texts：书面文本。在文化发展中意义重大，古埃及的象形文字、中国的甲骨文是早期书面文本形式，标志着文明进入有文字记录的时代。

4. educational institutions：教育机构。在西方，古希腊的学园是早期教育机构雏形，柏拉图的学园培养了众多学者，如今教育机构已成为传承知识、培养人才的关键场所。

5. scientific principles：科学原理。它是科学发展的基石，如牛顿的万有引力定律，是经典力学的重要科学原理，推动了物理学发展。

6. historical events：历史事件。例如工业革命这一历史事件，从18世纪60年代开始，带来生产方式变革，彻底改变了人类社会的经济、文化和生活方式。

7. mathematical formulas：数学公式。比如勾股定理是著名数学公式，早在公元前就被发现，在建筑、测量等领域广泛应用。

8. abstract concepts：抽象概念。比如“乌托邦（Utopia）”是一个抽象概念，源自托马斯・莫尔的同名著作，代表着一种理想的、不存在的完美社会形态。

9. explicit knowledge：显性知识。比如在学术领域，发表的论文、研究报告中包含大量显性知识，能被清晰阐述和传播。

10. tacit knowledge：隐性知识。比如在艺术领域，画家独特的绘画技巧、对色彩和构图的独特感知，多属于隐性知识，难以用言语完全表述。

11. interdisciplinary approach：跨学科方法。比如在研究气候变化问题时，常需结合气象学、生态学、经济学等多学科知识，形成跨学科研究方法。

12. digital age：数字时代。始于20世纪后期，互联网和计算机技术普及，带来信息传播、社交、商业等多方面的变革。

13. collective intelligence：集体智慧。比如维基百科是集体智慧的典型体现，全球用户共同编辑完善知识内容，汇聚大众知识和见解。

14. critical thinking：批判性思维。在西方教育体系中是重要培养目标，鼓励学生对信息质疑、分析、评估，不盲目接受。

15. biased narratives：有偏见的叙述。比如在历史记载中，由于记录者立场、文化背景等因素，可能产生biased narratives，例如不同国家对同一战争的不同描述。

【Source】www.lisedunetwork.com

【Translated by】Spark Liao (廖怀宝)

【Illustration】From Bing

来源：沪上英语教与学