3.3. KNOWLEDGE, THOUGHT AND DESIRE

 

3.3.1  Listening

You’ll hear a talk about the human brain. Answer the questions below. Speak about your abilities and the weak and strong sides of your mental organization.

 

1. The left side of the brain normally controls the _____ side of the body.

2. What functions do the two hemispheres of the brain control?

Left (rational side) language ________   linearity analysis _______ _______ sequencing

Right (irrational side) rhythm ________ ________ ________ space: three dimensions seeing ______ of things as a whole

 

 

3. In left-handed people, these priorities are often _______.

4. The _______ is the link between the two hemispheres. It is the key to _____.

5. The first question the speaker suggests you ask in the experiment is: ‘What’s _______?’

6. The second question is: ‘What piece of furniture is ________?’

7. While someone is trying to answer the first question they will _____ to prevent themselves being distracted by _______.

8. Unfortunately, the experiment will not be successful if they ______.

9. As we get older our memories ______.

10. You forget things more easily if your brain doesn’t have enough _____ or _____.

11. Your brain can deteriorate if you don’t get enough ______ or if your _____ is unhealthy.

12. The three Golden Rules of brain power are:

a. Use your senses and don’t only think _______. Imagine a problem _____.

b. Use _______ of your brain.

c. Don’t say _______ because your brain is ______ as anyone else’s.

 

3.3.2 Reading

Can you explain what thinking is? Read the text and answer the questions below.

 

The Art of Thinking

 

What is thinking? The word ‘thinking’, like other words, has several meanings. The word is used popularly in the sense of ‘to have an opinion’. This opinion may be our own or may be merely an echo of somebody else’s opinion. One of the definitions of the verb ‘to think’ as given in the dictionary is ‘to express the mind otherwise than by passive reception of another’s ideas’. And indeed the word is best used to mean real thinking: putting two and two together, and trying to find out the truth … .

To accept as true certain thoughts because they happen to be popular, or modern, or because some person with a great name has told us that they are true, is not real thinking at all. It is precisely against this bad habit of looking to authority that Roger Bacon warned us over 500 years ago, and Aristotle long before that.

The most active form of thinking is found when we are discussing or arguing with others. A discussion consists in comparing our views or thoughts with those of others in order to see in what degree or measure our thoughts agree or disagree. By discussing we may modify our views or the views held by others. An argument is more in the nature of a battle, with thoughts used as weapons.

Therefore when we argue, we sometimes are less interested in finding the truth than winning our case and defeating (getting the better of) our opponent.

Thinking may also be called ‘the machinery of association’, for it is to a large extent connected with memory: when we think we are putting the facts into combination with facts – we are ‘putting two and two together’, as the saying is.

We may now ask ourselves the question: ‘May we, by striving, become good thinkers?’ This depends largely upon the nature of our interest. There are false or doubtful kinds of interest, as well as good ones. A man may be interested simply in making money, and the machinery of association in his mind will work with astonishing skill and rapidity; or a boy may be interested only in passing an examination, and so his machinery of association works hard for a time at something or other, and after the examination, he seldom or never thinks of it again.

Worst of all, perhaps, in its results, is the kind of interest which sets men studying things only in order to defeat someone else, or to prove that they are right, or to make success for the party or the class to which they belong … This kind of interest is extremely powerful and very general. Unfortunately, interest of this kind and interest in money are the driving powers of most of the thinking that is done in the Western world.

Let us, rather, resolve to found our thoughts on the sort of interest which leads toward the discovery of truth, for there can be no higher ideal. The English translation of a certain Latin proverb runs, ‘Great is truth, and it shall prevail’ or to put it more briefly: ‘Truth will conquer’. And for truth to prevail we require thinkers, real thinkers, unprejudiced thinkers, who are able to find and remember facts, and draw valid conclusions from them.

 

* What meanings does the word ‘thinking’ have?

* Why is an argument more in the nature of a battle?

* What may be the driving force of thinking?

* How is thinking associated with memory?

* Do you know any proverbs associated with thinking?

* What is the highest aim for a thinking individual as stated in the text?

 

3.3.3 Vocabulary

Scan through this excerpt from a Scandinavian film script and give the Russian equivalents to the underlined variations of the word ‘think’.

 

Scene 246 from ‘Brakbordsma’ (Breakfast) by Ingmar Pintman.

 

Leni stares into her coffee cup, contemplating her life in the bottom of it.

Leni:  Can you picture us in … ?

She breaks off. Haro looks up from his paper; their eyes meet briefly.

Leni:  Do you envisage us doing this for the rest of … ?

Long pause. Haro is lost in thought, in a world of his own. He gazes out of the window, reflecting on the chances they have missed.

Leni:  I can’t imagine anything any more that will break the routine of …

The camera passes over Haro’s meditating face.

Leni:  It’s become impossible to visualize a time or place in which we won’t …

Pause. Suddenly she collects her thoughts, pulls herself together.

Leni:  How’s breakfast?

Haro is not concentrating, pre-occupied with the falling snowflakes.

Haro:  Cold. (Pause) Cold bacon.

Leni is dreaming of her childhood.

Leni:  I wasn’t aware you liked it hot.

Haro continues to speculate on what might have been.

Haro:  I don’t.

Long pause. They both have a lot on their mind.

Haro:  If you weigh up both sides, balance the pros and cons, consider it from each angle, bear in mind every little detail, you begin to realize that the importance of hot bacon can be greatly exaggerated in one’s mind.

Leni is inventing an excuse for not going with him this evening, making up a story on which to improvise later.

Leni:  I was day-dreaming.

Pause. She has a sudden brainwave.

Leni:  Suppose … just suppose that there was another opportunity, another chance to …

Haro:  I’ve been toying with the idea of cutting out the bacon … at breakfast.

Pause.

Leni:  This evening … you know, this evening, I’m sorry, but I’m …

Haro:  I’m seriously thinking of doing without it.

The word is going over and over in Leni’s brain until she whispers it, almost inaudibly.

Leni:  That’s just make-believe.

Haro pretends not to have heard.

Haro:  I’ve come to a decision. (Pause) This conclusion I’ve reached… it’s that…

His mind begins to wander. She is trying to guess what is going on in his head.

Haro:  I’ve discovered certain things about myself in the last few weeks, you see … and I’ve decided …

He is suddenly miles away, his mind is a blank. (Pause) He tries again.

Haro: Yes, I’ve resolved …

Leni thinks she understands; her mind is racing.

Haro:  Made up my mind, you know … . I’m going to try sausages.

Leni:  Why don’t you sleep on it, think it over?

Haro:  I never change my mind after breakfast. (Pause) On second thoughts …

A flash of inspiration from Leni:

Leni:  It strikes me that … they’ve been very foolish. Has it occurred to you that they might … reconsider?

She is confused.

Haro: What do you mean?

The camera tracks to the window and the falling snow.

Leni:  Nothing.

 

3.3.4 Meaning

Choose the best explanation in each case.

 

1. If you say that a person is disinterested, you mean he or she

a. has lost interest in something.

b. is not interested in something.

c. has no personal bias when making a decision.

2. Evidence is

a. information that might be produced in court to support a case.

b. a statement in court which does not require any proof.

c. something that is extremely obvious to everybody.

3. We would use the word effectively

a. to say that a person really did something.

b. to describe an activity that produced good results.

c. like indeed, to add emphasis to what we say.

4. If you verify something, you

a. confirm or show that it is true.

b. examine it closely.

c. consider it carefully.

5. Curiosity refers to

a. the quality of wanting to know about people and things.

b. the strangeness of people and things.

c. a quality of being peculiar or exotic.

6. Fantasy refers to

a. dreams that can’t be realized.

b. the power to make the imagined seem real.

c. creations that are quite original.

7. You could use the word logical to describe, for example,

a. a just and fair request for a rise in salary.

b. a sensible investment of money.

c. a well-argued case.

8. A person who is interrogated is probably someone who

a. has been arrested by the police.

b. is applying for a job.

c. is being examined by a doctor.

 

3.3.5 Word Choice

Decide on the right word to fill in the blanks.

 

1. I wish you wouldn’t keep ___ me. Let me finish what I’m saying.

a. intruding      b. disturbing       c. interrupting     d. butting in

2. After a while I was so tired that I couldn’t ____ .

a. be engrossed      b. be focused      c. concentrate    d. be concentrated

3. I think we should ____ the most important points.

a. be concentrated on         b. be concentrated in                                           

c.  focus on                        d. concentrate in

4. I didn’t notice the time because I was so _____ in my work.

a. concentrated       b. engrossed         c. focused       d. preoccupied

5. Every time I started to say something, he ____ .

a. distracted          b. disturbed          c. butted        d. butted in

6. I was too slow on the ____ to realize that he was trying to trick me.

a. intake         b. uptake         c. take over     d. out-take

7. She has no ____ of saying such a thing.

a. recollection         b. reminder         c. souvenir      d. memory

8. My _____ of childhood are happy ones.

a. memoirs          b. reminders         c. souvenirs     d. memories

9. Could you ____ him to bring his camera?

a. recall         b. remember         c. remind        d. recognize

10. Who does Barbara ____ you of?

a. recall         b. remember         c. remind         d. recognize

11. What was his name again? It’s _____ completely.

a. slipped          b. gone         c. flown          d. left

12. I’m afraid ____ you. Did you say anything?

a. I don’t get        b. I’m not with      c. I don’t see      d. I miss

13. I ____ it. I thought he was happy here, so why has he left?

a. don’t get       b. can’t follow      c. misunderstand      d. miss

14. You’ve all ____ the point. The film itself is not racist – it simply tries to make us question our own often racist attitudes.

a. mistaken         b. missed          c. misunderstood        d. lost

15. I often wonder what people abroad make ____ Britain.

a. from          b. by         c. for          d. of

 

3.3.6 Rephrase

For each of the sentences below, write a new sentence as similar as possible in meaning to the original sentence, but using the word given. This word must not be altered in any way.

 

Example:

It’s no use in arguing, I’ve made up my mind.  (point) There’s no point in arguing, I’ve made up my mind.

 

1. You should think about the price before you decide whether to buy it or not. (consideration)

2. He’s not sure whether to go or not.  (minds)

3. I’ve considered the advantages and disadvantages and I’ve decided not to go.  (weighed)

4. Considering that she’s only just started, she’s doing very well.  (bearing)

5. She’s not sure whether she wants to marry him or not now.  (second)

6. They will consider age and experience when they decide the salary.  (account)

7. I was going to argue with him, but I decided that it was a bad idea.  (better)

8. I’m not considering that suggestion.  (out)

9. I’m thinking that I might leave the country, but I haven’t decided yet.  (considering)

10. When I agreed to do this, I didn’t think that it would be so expensive.  (bargain)

11. I’m planning to sell this car and buy another one.  (thinking)

 

3.3.7 Idiom

A

Read the dialogue and try to explain the idioms in bold.

                     

- Right chaps. First of all, I’m delighted to say that our new soft drink is nearly ready to be launched. The boss told me that, as always, the name proved to be 1) a real bone of contention. Shane Jennings wanted to call it Fizzo and Jennifer Biles thought Joopy would be a better name. Apparently they 2) went round in circles for weeks without coming to a decision. Anyway, 3) in a nutshell, the board of directors preferred Joopy, so Shane backed down when he realized he was 4) fighting a losing battle and, consequently, it looks like it’s going to be called Joopy. Well, you’ve all had several months to 5) rack your brains for some fresh ideas, so let’s 6) put our heads together and decide on the packaging … Sharon? Would you like to 7) start the ball rolling?

- Hmm …

- Okay. Frank? What about you?

- Well …

- Come on folks! 8) Put your thinking caps on! We don’t need the precise details just yet – just 9) the bare bones of a concept so we’ll have something to start from!

- I’ve got it! How about a pyramid-shaped green bottle with the name in big orange letters?

- I love it!

- That’s innovative! Yes, let’s do that!

- Hang on! Listen you lot, the Bango Company has just used that colour scheme on their new product. We’re on good terms with them and we don’t want to 10) rock the boat; they could get very upset if our packaging is too similar.

- Oh … I see … Let’s try again then …

 

Definition

B

Match the items with the idioms from part A.

     

a. to start a conversation / activity, etc.                       

b. to disturb / ruin a good situation / relation

c. a sensitive issue that causes argument

d. the most basic / important parts of something

e. to argue about the same things repeatedly without reaching a decision or solution

f. to start thinking about smth, especially problem / difficulty

g. to discuss smth, especially in order to solve a problem

h. in few words

i. to struggle against smth with little or no hope of success

j. to think hard about smth in order to find a solution / an answer

 

3.3.8 Practice

A

Fill in the gaps with the idioms above.

 

a. I won’t bother going into the details, but, … , we have to cut down on appending costs.

b. At the company meeting, the director … by asking if everyone was  present.

c. The student … to find the right answer to the complicated question.

d. We kept … trying to decide what colour to paint the house but we just couldn’t agree on anything.

e. Politics is a … at home – it’s a very sensitive subject as my husband’s  Labour and I’m Conservative.

 

Rephrase

B

Reword the following sentences using the words in brackets. Do not change these words in any way.

 

a. ‘I don’t understand you! Everything was going so well and then you had to go  and spoil everything.’ (rock)

b. We’re way below last year’s profit. I think we should meet to discuss the figures and find a way to increase our sales. (heads)

c. The police inspector wasn’t interested in details of the arrest; he just wanted to know the basics. (bare)

d. Although the doctors tried hard to save the man, they knew his injuries were fatal. (battle)

e. ‘I don’t know what I’m going to do when I leave school. I guess I’ll have to think about it carefully.’ (cap)

 

3.3.9  Jigsaw Reading

A

Here are some comments made by two people at various times in their working life – when they were 16, 26, 36, 46 and 56. Unfortunately, they have become mixed up. Read them and try to decide at which age each was spoken. Notice how many feelings, desires, hopes and fears are expressed. Which paragraph do you  identify with most? Which person do you envy less, feel more sorry for?

                           

1. My twelfth job in ten years; it was the last thing I wanted. All I’ve ever asked for is a bit of security. I’m determined to keep this job with Sutton and Co longer than the others, so I’m keen to make a good impression. 

2. I’m between jobs again at the moment. I’ve forced myself to stop worrying about it. I’ll be glad if I can keep finding work until I’m old enough to stop. I could do with three or four more long term temporary contracts. Of course, I wouldn’t say no to a permanent one,   but … Quite frankly, I wouldn’t mind going abroad, but I should think foreign employers would be a bit reluctant to take on someone my age. 

3. I’d rather not think about how many jobs I’ve had. I used to dream of making my way up to the top of some firm or other – a firm of accountants, perhaps. Instead, I’ve settled for odd jobs here and there, aimed for posts they didn’t even consider me for, compromised left, right and center and made do with what came my way. At times I would have givenmy right arm for a comfortable job, regular salary, some sort of prospects. And each time I accepted second or third best. I do so yearn for a second chance. Silly, isn’t it? 

4. I’ve just had my notice from Smith Bros. Ltd. I’m dreading having to look round for work again. I’ve given up being choosy. I’d be more than happy just to have any sort of job now. I’m desperate to find anything that’s reasonable. I really have no strong preference any more. 

5. I can’t wait to leave school. I’m dying to start work. I mean to find a nice steady job in a well-established firm, and intend to work my way up from the bottom. I’m anxious to learn about all sides of the business, because I hope to be on the management side by the time I’m 40.   

                            

* * *

B

 

1. I’d love to do something like teaching for a while, as a change from book-keeping. Teaching English to foreign students appeals to me; I really like the sound of it. For two pins, I’d leave James, James and James and try a summer course at the Sunshine School of English just down the road. To be quite honest, I just don’t feel like going into the office today – or ever again. I’m in the mood for something completely different. 

2. I’m undecided as to whether to go on to university or leave school now. I feel quite tempted to start work in the real world, but on the other hand I’d quite like three years doing nothing very much and give myself time to make a choice of career. To tell the truth, I don’t really fancy getting tied down to one profession just yet. 

3. I suppose I’m resigned to being an accountant with J,J, and J until I’m 65. I know it’s too late to have regrets, but I do wish I had tried harder to make the break. I had every intention of doing so. There seemed to be so many options open once, so many alternatives to pick from, so many possibilities from which to choose. I recall how I flirted with journalism, how I was once quite committed to becoming a social worker, how I turned my back on a teaching career. I hate to admit it, but I fear it’s true. I’m longing for my retirement. 

4. Well, I’ve made a resolution to leave the old firm within the next eighteen months. I’mreally looking forward to a change. I couldn’t face going on in accountancy until I retire. I feel inclined to try publishing; I’ve got my eye on a company just down the road. I have half a mind to write to them today. 

5. I didn’t really plan to get into accountancy. I’m not sure I ever really wanted to work in the world of business, but there it is, here I am. I suppose I was just drawn to it somehow, attracted to it like a magnet. I’m going to give it a few more years and then change. I rather like the idea of being a journalist; there is a newspaper office just down the road.  

 

3.3.10 Rephrase

A

Rewrite the sentence given in each item four times, using each of the four words beside it.

 

Example:

I wouldn’t like to be a millionaire. (fancy/hate/pleasure/last) I wouldn’t fancy being a millionaire. I would hate to be a millionaire. Being a millionaire would give me no pleasure at all. A millionaire is the last thing I would want to be.

 

1. I want to see him again very much.  (forward / dying / wait / longing)

2. I didn’t intend to spend so long there.  (planned / mean / planning / intention)

3. I would like a holiday.  (could / feel / mind / say no)

4. I want to go to London on Saturday, not Sunday.  (rather / prefer / preferable / preference)

5. I don’t really want to move away from the coast.  (keen / reluctant / fancy / idea)

 

3.3.11 Reading

Read the text and answer the questions below.

 

Solitude is Sometimes the Best Society

 

Occasional solitude is absolutely necessary for a developing mind. To have time to think is rare in the world today, and time must be made. To continue living and working without moments of solitude is like expecting a machine to work indefinitely without oil.

Solitude is the best society for artists. The creation of any form of beauty depends upon the state of a man’s mind, whether the person writes something or paints something. To know one’s mind is a thing achieved only by solitude and quiet thinking. And it is this peace that is the force of creation.

But few people like being alone for a long time. The close society of acquaintances and friends, doing useless things to pass the time – these are the necessities of the modern world. People are afraid of having time to think, so they go to the cinema, the television set, or a football match, because they can think of nothing better to do. Creative work is fast disappearing; instead, we’ll have a generation of watchers and thought will be left to the poets and scientists.

Some people wouldn’t know what to do being alone at times. Finding other people’s company preferable to their own, they begin to feel unhappy and grow introspective. Self-analysis can be carried too far by some; others lose the art of conversation, and an ability to give and take – and so run indefinitely without oil.

But to the rest of us solitude brings new worlds. When we think and feel, unwatched by man, ideas and feelings come to us, and we get new strength instead of becoming lost in a hurrying world. Ideas and knowledge of oneself that come from peace are the best things in life; these come only from solitude – occasional solitude, of course.

 

1. Is it really difficult to continue living and working without moments of solitude?

2. Do you agree that people are sometimes afraid of having time to think? Why?

3. What kind of generation is coming (according to the text)? Do you agree with that?

4. How is creative work connected with solitude?

5. Does self-analysis always bring knowledge of ourselves?

6. What are the best things in life? What did H.D.Thoreau mean when he wrote in ‘Walden’: ‘I had three chairs in my house: one for solitude, two for friendship, three for society’.

 

3.3.12 Interaction

The following exercise is based on a test performed by psychologists on college students to find out if men’s and women’s desires are different. The wishes range from the most to the least popular. Can you identify female and male wishes? Make up dialogues to discuss it.

 

1. To deeply love a person who deeply loves me.

2. For there to be peace on earth, and no more war.

3. To have the talent and ability to succeed at anything I choose.

4. To be recognized as the best at something.

5. For there to be a clean environment, free from pollution.

6. To be able to travel in time.

7. To be very attractive.

8. To understand the meaning of life.

9. To be youthful all my life.

10. To be able to read people’s minds.

11. To be able to be invisible.

12. To live as long as I want.

13. To have a lot of children.

14. To be able to take revenge on my enemies.

15. To be able to change appearance, age, sex and race whenever I want.

16. To be reincarnated with all my memories.

 

3.3.13 Speaking

A

Answer the questions about regrets. Discuss your answers.

 

1. If your life were on a videotape and you could go back and edit parts out, what parts would you change?

2. Is there anyone’s advice which you regret having or not having taken?

3. Is there anyone who you wish you had never met? Which person from your past would you most like to see again?

4. Yeats, the Irish poet, wrote:

One looks back to one’s youth as to a cup that a madman,

Dying of thirst, left half-tasted.

Will this be the case when you are old (i.e. that you will feel that you didn’t take all the opportunities that you should have done)? Are you satisfied with your life? Do you feel you have (and need to have) a purpose? Do you set yourself goals? Do you think you make good use of your time?

 

B            What do you want from life?

Compare your ideas with Dale Carnegie’s.

 

Dale Carnegie in his 30 million copy selling book How to win friends and influence people identified eight principle wants:

 

* a feeling of importance	* food	* health and the preservation of life
* life in the hereafter	* money and the things money will buy	* sleep
* the well-being of our children	* sexual gratification.

 

1. What do you do that you don’t want to do?

2. Do you do things that you don’t want to do only because you feel you are expected to do them by other people, or to fit in with their wishes?

3. What things did you want to do when you were younger that you don’t want to do now, and vice versa?

4. ‘I want doesn’t get.’ What things did you want as a child that your parents refused to get you or allow you to do?

5. What things do your parents want for you? And what do you want for your children?

6. If you really want to do something you can do it. True or false?

7. If everybody in the world could have what they wanted, would the world be a better place?

8. Is it better to get what you want or want what you get?

 

3.3.14 Opinion

Explain the meaning of the proverbs below. Give Russian or Belarusian equivalents to them.

 

1. Little things please little minds.

2. Two wrongs don’t make a right. 

3. A contented mind is a perpetual feast. 

4. None so blind as those who won’t see / None so deaf as those who won’t hear.

5. Nothing is given so freely as advice.

6. To err is human, to forgive divine. 

7. Fools rush in where angels fear to tread.

8. Knowledge is like money: the more he gets, the more he craves.

 

3.3.15 Translation

A

Give a literary translation to the following:

 

1. All that we are is the result of what we’ve thought.

2. Experience is the name people give to their mistakes. 

3. Knowledge is a small part of ignorance that we arrange and classify.

4. Good judgement comes from experience and often experience comes from bad judgement.

5. The wise learn many things from their enemies.

6. A hunch is creativity trying to tell you something.

7. Change is not made without inconvenience, even from worse to better. 

8. It is the customary fate of new truths to begin as heresies and to end as superstitions.

9. New opinions are always suspected, and usually opposed, without any other reason but because they are not already common. 

10. If you never change your mind, do you have any?

11. Never mistake knowledge from wisdom. One helps you make a living; the other helps you make a life.

12. We find comfort among those who agree with us; we grow among those who don’t.

13. Before God we are equally wise and equally foolish.

 

Discussion

B

Express your opinion on the quotations above.

 

3.3.16  Writing

Write how your ideas, plans, feelings on marriage, career, money, bringing up children have changed in the past five years. What do you expect from the following five years?