The Influence of Ideas
When one idea is expressed,closely related ideas are simultaneously conveyed,logically and inescapably.In logic,this kinship is expressed by the term sequitur,Latin for "it follows."(The converse is non sequitur,"it does not follow")
Consider,for example,the idea that many teachers and parents express to young children as a way of encouraging them:"If you believe in yourself,you can succeed at anything."From this it follows that nothing else but belief--neither talent nor hard work--is necessary for success.The reason the two ideas are equivalent is that their meanings are inseparably linked.
In addition to conveying ideas closely linked to it in meaning,an idea can imply other ideas.For example,the idea that there is no real difference between virtue and vice implies that people should not feel bound by common moral standards.Samuel Johnson had this implication in mind when he said:"But if he does really think that there is no distinction between virtue and vice,why,Sir,when he leaves our houses let us count our spoons."
Translation:
自翻:
当一个想法要表达的时候,那些与之接近且相关联的想法不可避免的会在逻辑上传达。在逻辑学里,这种相关联想法的表达有一个专业术语叫做:“推断”,拉丁语叫做:“随之而来的想法”(反义词是无推断,“没有出现的想法”)
举个例子思考一下,许多家长和老师都会用一种方式去鼓励孩子们:“只要你相信你自己,你就可以在任何领域成功”也就是说,对于成功而言,我们除了信心别的都不需要,包括不需要天份,也不需要努力。这么说的原因是因为他们觉得这两个想法(天份和努力)不用说就在这句户的意思里。
表达想法时,相关联的意思都在其中,一个观念意味着其他观念。例如,人们很难说出“美德”和“恶习”的区别在哪里?这个标准究竟如何量化?当塞缪尔 约翰逊说道:“但是如果他确信美德和恶习之间没有区别,那么为什么,各位,当他离开我们房间时,还要让我们数着自己的汤勺”,他有他自己的意思。
感觉今天翻译的内容有些难度,很难把握作者究竟想表达个什么意思,不太通顺。对于Idea应该翻译过来的意思摸不准,是想法?还是观念?在这篇文章中对这个词需要更精准一些,暂时能力有限,尚难选择。
另外对于这本书目前又有了一个想法,未来全书死磕后打算自己重新校核翻译一下,将第一次翻译过程中的一些直译和摸不准的意思按照自己中文的理解认真翻译一下,这也算是2017年的一个小目标吧!
自己对本书的兴趣越来越浓厚了,偶尔停下来没做翻译的一两天,我也一定在背单词,别说我偷懒哦!
兴趣就是最好的老师!