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Unit 4
Honesty
After-Class Reading
PASSAGE I How Honest Are We?
How honest are Asians today? Do people in the region's smaller communities have more integrity than residents of the mega-cities[1]? What motivates people to do the right thing?
Over a four-month period late last year, we tried to find out with a simple test. We visited 14 cities, towns and communities in nine countries. In each, we "lost" ten ordinary wallets filled with the local equivalent of $ 10 to $ 50 in cash, a local address and phone number, classified ads[2] from local newspapers, handwritten shopping lists-everything needed to make the wallets look real. Then we waited to see what would happen.
In each country, a reporter from our Asia headquarters in Hong Kong was joined by two local reporters. Together, they made the drops in front of temples, at airports, in malls. "It was incredibly difficult trying not to be seen dropping the wallets," one of them said.
The best method was for the "dropper" to lean down, tie a shoelace and put down the wallet when he or she was sure nobody was looking. Our dropper then walked away, while a colleague nearby pretending to be window-shopping[3] or in conversation on a public telephone, watched what happened.
Most of the wallets were picked up within minutes. Occasionally, though, the test required patience. In Hong Kong's Central district, one wallet lay unnoticed on the edge of a flower bed[4] in busy Statue Square for an entire lunch hour. One walletlay on the long-distance desk of Seoul's main telephone office[5] for an hour before someone spotted it and turned it in.
When we saw someone give a wallet to a security guard[6] or someone in charge, we approached the person and conducted an interview on the spot. Some finders walked away and later telephoned the number in the wallet to arrange its return; we revealed our secret and interviewed them. But others, we never heard from.
Why did we undertake this experiment? Instead of asking for opinions about personal honesty and ethics, as pollsters do, we wanted to watch people in action as they wrestled with a real-life moral dilemma.[7] We have always been concerned with questions of right and wrong, and thought this experiment would give us insights into how ordinary people would react when confronted with an everyday ethical choice.
The results were more revealing than we expected.
Overall, out of 140 wallets we dropped across Asia, 80 were returned-57 percent. A similar experiment in Europe resulted in almost identical totals. Out of 200 wallets dropped in Europe, 116 were returned-58 percent. In the United States, the return rate was slightly higher: 80 out of 120-67 percent.
In the US, only one person declined to take the money in the wallet when it was offered as a reward for being honest. In Europe, more than a quarter refused to take the money. In Asia, a staggering 72 percent of those who returned the wallets- 58 of 80-said no to any reward.
"I cannot accept a reward for having done the right thing," said a university student in Seoul. Among those who did accept the money, several said they intended to donate it to a charity or religious organization.
Within Asia we found other interesting results. Two-thirds of all our wallets were retrieved by men. But once the wallet was picked up, it made little difference whether the finder was male or female. In our study, 58 percent of the women who picked up wallets returned them and so did 56 percent of the men.
Are the people in Asia's giant population centers less honest than in its smaller cities? It seemed so. The lowest combined rate of return[8]-still a respectable 50 percent-was in the three largest cities visited: Seoul, Bombay and Manila. The best rates of return were in the less populous cities-Singapore; Inchon, Korea; Trivan-drum, India; and Kamakura, Japan-with populations ranging from 180,000 to 2.8 million.
Asia's most impoverished countries generally fared as well as those where living standards are high.[9] The combined return rate for Korea, Hong Kong and Japan was 60 percent-24 of 40. The combined return rate for India and the Philippines was 53 percent-21 of 40.
There were other interesting patterns: four out of five wallets "lost" in hospitals were returned. So, too, were ten of the 13 wallets dropped in banks and post offices, as were all four of the wallets in hotel lobbies. Three of the four wallets we dropped near police stations and eight of ten we left in and around churches, temples, shrines and mosques came back.
On the other hand, six of the 12 wallets we dropped in city halls[10] and other municipal buildings disappeared, as did 11 of the 13 wallets we left on streets, public plazas and parks.
We dropped a dozen wallets at various schools. Eight of 12 were returned with all the money and documents inside. The only campus where none came back was in Bangkok, Thailand. There, both of our wallets disappeared-one into the hands of girls wearing the crisp black skirts and white blouses that are both uniform and status symbol.
The phrase we heard over and over throughout Asia when someone returned a wallet was simple: "It's the right thing to do." And this "wallet test" made clear the role family and religion play in setting our moral compasses.[11] A 42-year-old senior police officer at the International Airport outside Manila echoed the sentiments of many. "My parents taught me not to take what's not mine. I've always tried to teach my children the same values."
A large number of those who returned wallets cited their belief in God. "Being a Muslim, I'm aware of temptation and how to overcome it," said a Malaysian woman, who runs a fruit stall with her husband. Several people turned to their houses of worship[12] for help. "They came to me and said: 'Father, please find the owner,'" a priest at St. Joseph's Cathedral told us.
Even the minority who kept the wallets reminded us that almost everyone has a conscience. The surest signs of that were the furtive looks and guilty glances of nearly all who pocketed[13] the wallets. They knew they were doing wrong.
A Japanese woman found one of our wallets beside the prayer wheel[14] at a temple. When asked why she hurried to turn it in, she said: "I was told to do this since I was a little girl. I think most Japanese will do the same."
Our experience proved she was right. Not only about most Japanese but about most people. (1103 words)
Proper Names
Bangkok
曼谷(泰国首都)
Bombay
孟买(印度西部港市)
Hong Kong
香港
Inchon
仁川(韩国港市)
Kamakura
镰仓(日本-城市)
Manila
马尼拉(菲律宾首都)
Seoul
汉城(韩国首都)
Singapore
新加坡(市)(新加坡共和国首都)
St. Joseph's Cathedral
圣约瑟夫大教堂
Trivandrum
特里凡得琅(印度南部港市)
New Words
dilemma
n. a difficult choice between two or more (usually undesirable) alternatives 困境，(进退两难的)窘境
e.g. He was faced with the dilemma of whether or not to return to his country.
furtive
adj. done secretly and quietly so as not to be noticed 鬼鬼祟祟的，偷偷摸摸的
e.g. With a furtive glance over her shoulder, she unlocked the door and entered the house.
impoverished
adj. poor and without money to live on 贫困的，赤贫的
e.g. The goal is to lure businesses into impoverished areas by offering them tax breaks (减税).
lobby
n. the area that is behind the main door of a hotel or other large building and that has corridors and staircases leading off it 大厅，门厅，穿堂
e.g. I) I met her in the lobby of the museum.
II) I rushed into the hotel lobby, where our luggage was still piled high.
mosque
n. a building where Muslims go to worship 清真寺
e.g. He has campaigned for years to build a second mosque for the city's Muslim community.
municipal
adj. belonging to or concerned with a city or town that has its own local government 市的，市政的
e.g. This was the first big municipal housing scheme to get underway after the war.
Muslim
n. someone who believes in Islam and lives according to its rules 伊斯兰教徒
e.g. He refused to leave until relief supplies reached the 60,000 starving Muslim inhabitants.
plaza
n. an open square in a city 广场，市场
e.g. The town is built around a large plaza with a fountain in the middle.
pollster
n. one that conducts a poll or compiles data obtained by a poll 民意测验者，民意调查者
e.g. Pollsters ask people questions and record their answers.
populous
adj. (formal) having a large population, densely populated 人口众多的，人口稠密的
e.g. China is the world's most populous country.
revealing *
adj. showing something that was hidden 发人深省的，揭露内情的，坦诚的 e.g. A revealing story explained all about the lies she told about her life.
shrine
n. a religious place that honors a person or saint 圣殿，神庙
e.g. We lit a candle at the shrine to Saint Anthony.
staggering
adj. very surprising 惊人的
e.g. It costs a staggering $ 50,000 per week to keep the museum open to the public.
stall
n. a large table or a small shop with an open front from which goods are sold in a public place 店铺，摊位
e.g. In the village market, the stalls are piled high with local vegetables.
unnoticed*
adj. not noticed, not observed 未察觉的，未注意到的
e.g. She may be able to slip out of one of the gateways unnoticed among the other visitors.
Phrases and Expressions
in action
engaged in a certain activity, in operation 在活动，在运行中
e.g. I) She's a very good tennis player; you ought to see her in action.
II) I'd like to see the new computer system in action.
on the spot
immediately, at the place of the action 立即，在现场
e.g. I) He was hit by a falling tree and killed on the spot.
II) When the fighting started, police and reporters were soon on the spot.
turn in
1) give something back to a person or organization in authority 交上，上缴
e.g. Please turn your old parking permits (许可证) in at the end of the week.
2) (AmE) give a piece of written work to a teacher or employer交(作业、写好的文字材料)
e.g. She's worried she won't be able to turn in her project (课程作业) on time.
wrestle with
struggle to deal with or overcome 全力对付，努力克服
e.g. I) For over a year David wrestled with a guilty conscience.
II) Delegates wrestled with the problems of violence and sanctions (制裁)
PASSAGE II The Truth about Lying
I've been wanting to write on a subject that intrigues and challenges me: the subject of lying. I've found it very difficult to do. Everyone I've talked to has a quite intense and personal but often rather intolerant point of view about what we can-and can never never[1]-tell lies about. I've finally reached the conclusion that I can't present any ultimate conclusions, for too many people would promptly disagree. B Instead, I'd like to present a series of moral puzzles, all concerned with lying. I'll tell you what I think about them. Do you agree?
Social Lies
Most of the people I've talked with say that they find social lying acceptable and necessary. They think it's the civilized way for folks to behave. Without these little white lies[2], they say, our relationships would be short and nasty. It's arrogant, they say, to insist on being so incorruptible and so brave that you cause other people unnecessary embarrassment or pain by compulsively presenting them with your honesty. I basically agree. What about you?
Will you say to people, when it simply isn't true, "I like your new hairdo," "You're looking much better," "It's so nice to see you," "I had a wonderful time"?
Will you praise ugly presents and ugly kids?
And even though, as I do, you may prefer the polite evasion of "You really cooked up a storm" instead of "The soup"-which tastes like warmed-over coffee- "is wonderful," will you, if you must, proclaim it wonderful?[3]
There's one man I know who absolutely refuses to tell social lies. "I can't play that game," he says, "I'm simply not made that way." And his answer to the argument that saying nice things to someone doesn't cost anything is, "Yes, it does-it destroys your credibility. " My friend does not indulge in what he calls "flattery, false praise and sweet comments". When others tell lies he will not go along. He says that social lying is lying, that little white lies are still lies. And he feels that telling lies is morally wrong. What about you?
Peace-Keeping Lies
Many people tell peace-keeping lies; lies designed to avoid irritation or argument; lies designed to shelter the liar from possible blame or pain; lies designed to keep trouble at bay without hurting anyone.
I tell these lies at times, yet I always feel they're wrong. I understand why we tell them, but still they feel wrong.[4] And whenever I lie so that someone won't disapprove of me or think less of[5] me or yell at me, I feel I'm a bit of a coward, I feel I'm dodging responsibility, I feel guilty. What about you?
Do you, when you are late for a date because you overslept, say you're late because you got caught in a traffic jam?
Do you, when you didn't remember that it was your father's birthday, say that his present must be delayed in the mail?
Finally, do you keep the peace by telling your husband lies on the subject of money? And in general do you find yourself ready, willing and able to lie to him when you make absurd mistakes or lose or break things?
Protective Lies
Protective lies are lies folks tell-often quite serious lies-because they're convinced that the truth would be too damaging. They lie because they feel there are certain human values that are more important than the wrong of having lied. They lie, not for personal gain, but because they believe it's for the good of the person they're lying to. They lie to those they love, to those who trust them most of all, on the grounds that breaking this trust is justified.[6]
They may lie to their children on money or marital matters.
They may lie to the dying about the state of their health.
I sometimes tell such lies, but I'm aware that it's quite presumptuous to claim I know what's best for others to know. That's called playing God.[7] That's called manipulation and control. And we never can be sure, once we start to juggle lies, just where they'll land, exactly where they'll roll.[8]
And furthermore, we may find ourselves lying in order to back up the lies that are backing up the lie we initially told.
And furthermore-let's be honest-if conditions were reversed, we certainly wouldn't want anyone lying to us.
Yet, having said all that, I still believe that there are times when protective lies must nonetheless be told. What about you?
If your former husband failed to send his monthly child-support check and in other ways behaved like a total rat,[9] would you allow your children-who believed he was simply wonderful-to continue to believe that he was wonderful?
If your dearly beloved brother selected a wife whom you deeply disliked, would you fake your feelings?
Trust-Keeping Lies
Another group of lies are trust-keeping lies, lies that involve triangulation,[10] with A (that's you) telling lies to B on behalf of C (whose trust you'd promised to keep). Most people concede that once you've agreed not to betray a friend's confidence, you can't betray it, even if you must lie. But I've talked with people who don't want you to tell them anything that they might be called on to lie about. They absolutely don't want to know about it.
"I don't tell lies for myself," says Fran, "and I don't want to have to tell them for other people." What about you?
Do you believe you can have close friends if you're not prepared to receive their deepest secrets?
Do you believe you must always lie for your friends?
As you can see, these issues get terribly sticky.[11]
Some say that truth will out[12] and thus you might as well tell the truth. Some say you can't regain the trust that lies lose. Some say that even though the truth may never be revealed, our lies damage our relationships. Some say...well, here's what some of them have to say.
"I'm a coward," says Grace, "about telling close people important, difficult truths. I find that I'm unable to carry it off. And so if something is bothering me, it keeps building up inside till I end up just not seeing them any more.[13]"
"I suffer most from the misconception that children can't take the truth," says Emily. "But I'm starting to see that what's harder and more damaging for them is being told lies, is not being told the truth."
"I'm afraid," says Joan, "that we often wind up feeling a bit of contempt for the people we lie to."
And then there are those who have no talent for lying.
"Over the years, I tried to lie," a friend of mine explained, "but I always got found out and I always got punished. I guess I gave myself away because I feel guilty about any kind of lying. It looks as if I'm stuck with telling the truth."
For those of us, however, who are good at telling lies, for those of us who lie and don't get caught, the question of whether or not to lie can be a hard and serious moral problem. I liked the remark of a friend of mine who said, "I'm willing to lie. But just as a last resort-the truth's always better."
"Because," he explained, "though others may completely accept the lie I'm telling, I don't."
I tend to feel that way too.
What about you? (1247 words)
Proper Names
Emily
(女子名)埃米莉
Fran
(女子名)弗兰(Frances的昵称)
Grace
(女子名)格雷斯
Joan
(女子名)琼
New Words
arrogant
adj. excessively and unpleasantly proud of oneself 傲慢的，自大的
e.g. Ever since he met the Queen, he's been quite arrogant.
civilized *
adj. having or showing good behavior or manners 有教养的，文雅的
e.g. I) Let's discuss this like civilized people.
II) They were brought up to behave in a civilized way in public.
concede
v. admit as true or correct, often unwillingly 承认，承认......为真(或正确)
e.g. I) The company conceded that an error had been made.
II) We have to concede that if it's wrong to injure humans it must also be wrong to do the identical or very similar injury to non-humans.
coward
n. a person who doesn't have the courage to face danger or pain 懦夫，胆小鬼
e.g. Cowards die many times before their deaths; The valiant (勇敢的) never taste of death but once. (Shakespeare, Julius Caesar)
credibility *
n. the quality of deserving to be believed and trusted 可靠性，可信度
e.g. After the recent scandal the local government has lost all its credibility.
evasion
n. an indirect answer 回避真相的说法，借口e.g. His speech was full of lies and evasions and never properly addressed the issue.
fake
v. pretend that you have (a feeling or illness)假装，伪装
e.g. She didn't want to go out, so she faked a headache.
flattery*
n. insincere praise 奉承，恭维话
e.g. I) Flattery will get you nowhere.
II) He was immune to the flattery of political leaders.
incorruptible*
adj. incapable of being bribed or morally corrupted 不受腐蚀的，廉洁的，正直的
e.g. A good judge must be incorruptible.
initially
adv. at the beginning 开始，起先
e.g. I) Initially, most people approved of the new scheme.
II) I don't remember who initially conceived the idea.
intolerant*
adj. lacking kindness or understanding toward people who are different 不容忍的
e.g. I) She can be very intolerant of students who don't understand what she is talking about.
II) This made him impatient and in a sense intolerant of those less able around him.
justified*
adj. reasonable and acceptable 正当的，有理的
e.g. In my opinion, this decision was wholly justified.
liar*
n. someone who tells lies 说谎者
e.g. He's such a liar-you can't trust a word he says.
oversleep*
v. sleep longer or later than one intended 睡过头
e.g. I) I missed the train this morning because I over-slept again.
II) We talked until the early hours and consequently I overslept.
presumptuous
adj. showing disrespect as a result of being too confident 专横的，自以为是的
e.g. He was presumptuous in making the announcement before the decision had been approved.
triangulation
n. formation of or division into triangles 形成或分成三角(关系)
Phrases and Expressions
back up
1) supply evidence to prove something is true, give moral, physical support to 证实，支持
e.g. I) Most people have strong views on language, but there's been very little research to back up their claims.
II) The police didn't believe the man's story until two witnesses backed him up.
2) make a spare copy of (data or a disk) 复制
e.g. Make sure you back up the file before you turn the computer off.3) (cause to) go backwards (使)倒退
e.g. The driver backed up his car and stopped.
be stuck with
be unable to get away from, have something you don't want 无法摆脱，解脱不了
e.g. I) We were stuck with him for the entire train journey.
II) I bought a used car that does not run very well, and now I'm stuck with it.
build up
(cause to) increase or become larger or stronger (使)增强、增大
e.g. I) Tension is building up between the two communities.
II) She needs something to build up her confidence again.
carry off
1) succeed in doing something 成功地处理或应付
e.g. I) She would have carried everything off beautifully.
II) It's not an easy part to act but I thought he carried it off brilliantly.
2) take something somewhere, especially without permission 拿走，夺走
e.g. Thieves broke into the shop and carried off jewellery worth thousands of pounds.
end/wind up (doing something)
eventually reach or come to a specified state or course of action 结果......
e.g. I) I ended up paying for everyone at the table.
II) She ended up owning the company where she had got her first job.
III) We got lost and wound up being two hours late.
IV) I wound up having to start the course from the beginning again.
give away
reveal a secret, usually unintentionally 暴露，泄露
e.g. I) It was meant to be a surprise until Caroline gave it away.
II) The children said they didn't eat the cake, but the chocolate around their mouths gave them away.
go along (with)
support an idea or agree with someone's opinion 赞成，附和
e.g. I) They are unlikely to go along with the scheme voluntarily.
II) The game is changing and we've got to go along with it and start playing it the way the others play it.
indulge in
allow oneself to have or do something even if it is not good or wise 纵容，放纵
e.g. I shall forget about dieting today. I'm just going to indulge in the delicious food.
keep/hold... at bay
prevent something dangerous or unpleasant from happening or from coming too close 阻止发生，使......无法靠近
e.g. Economic collapse in North Korea was kept at bay by aid from China.
last resort
the only thing someone turns to when everything else has failed 最后一着
e.g. I) In the last resort we can always walk home.
II) Sleeping pills should be a last resort. They can be addictive and also can interfere with normal sleep patterns.
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发表于 2016-7-10 09:20:47