Unit 1 The Happy Man
Section One: Warm Up
. Lead-in
Directions: Watch a video about the formula of happiness and discuss this question: what in your opinion are the main sources of happiness? The following quotations about happiness are for your reference.
Happiness is the meaning and the purpo of life, the whole aim and end of human existence. (Aristotle)
Happiness is when what you think, what you say, and what you do are in harmony. (Mahatma Gandhi)
Happiness is not a reward—it is a conquence. (Robert Ingersoll)
Happiness is different from pleasure. Happiness has something to do with struggling and e
nduring and accomplishing. (George Sheehan)
Happiness is not a station you arrive at, but a manner of traveling. (Margaret Lee Runbeck) . Background Information
About the Author
Bertrand Rusll: a British philosopher and political activist. Rusll became the best-known philosopher of his time becau of the volume and clarity of his writing, and the vigor and prominence of his political activism. His major early work was The Principles of Mathematics, first published in 1903.
Section Two: Global Reading
I. Text Analysis
What is the text mainly about?
In this article, the author points out that when the external circumstances are favorable, th
e greatest obstacle to happiness is lf-centered passions. He propos that one should d cultivate genuine interests in the outside world to get rid of the obstacle and achieve natural and healthy happiness. He believes that 愤怒的小鸟简笔画can one find the greatest joy of life.
II. Structural Analysis
Directions: Plea divide the text into 3 parts and summarize the main idea of each part.
Part I Paragraphs 1-3 Introduction室内养鱼
In Paragraphs 1-3, the author points out clearly that the greatest obstacle in people’s way to happiness is their excessive lf-absorptonly by taking onelf as a member, rather than as the center, of the univer,
ion.
Part II Paragraphs 4-5 Solution
In Paragraphs 4-5 the author offers his solution—to cultivate genuine interests, and introd
卖菜歌uces in detail the specific remedies for such lf-centered passions as the n of sin, lf-pity and fear.
Part III Paragraphs 6-7 Discussion on Self-denial
Paragraphs 6 and 7 宁波乐园are devoted to the discussion of lf-denial which, according to the author, is also a kind of lf-centered passion.
Section Three: Detailed Reading
Analysis
Paragraphs 柏拉图理念论1-3 Introduction
Question:
经济增长点What is the chief cau of unhappiness when actual circumstances are not unfavorable? (Paragraph 1)
Provided that the circumstances are not unfortunate, the main cau of unhappiness lies in lf-centered passions and interests that make a prison where one is shut out from the outside world.
Paragraphs 4-5 Solution
四一二事变Question:
How can one conquer all difficulties and reach the objective of happiness? (Paragraphs 4 )
The first thing, of cour, is to diagno correctly his own trouble, and then to take corresponding actions. To sum up, the solution is to develop genuine interests, and thereby get outside of one’s own clod world.
Paragraphs 6-7 Discussion on Self-denial
Questions:
1) Why does traditional moralists’ preaching fail to generate happiness? (Paragraphs 6 )
Professional or traditional moralists tend to preach lf-denial and, according to the author, have misplaced the emphasis. Conscious lf-denial leaves a man lf-absorbed and vividly aware of what he has sacrificed; therefore, he cannot really feel happy.
2) In the author’s view, how does his recommendation differ from that of the traditional moralist? (Paragraph 7)
Traditional moralists appeal to unlfish love which the author believes may encourage lf-abnegation and make a barrier to real happiness. On the contrary, the author argues that the lf and the rest of the world can be integrated, and real happiness c去火的菜an be attained, so long as we have genuine interests in persons or things outside ourlves.
Activity
According to the author, to achieve happiness one should cultivate genuine interests in the outside world. Do you agree with his opinion? What in your view is the real recipe for
happiness?
Open to discussion.
III. Words and Expressions
1. recipe (Paragraph 1) n.
Explanation:
a method or an idea that ems likely to have a particular result
e.g. He thinks the one recipe for success lies in hard work.
2. Joph Wood Krutch (Paragraph 1)
Explanation:
