Lesson 18 The Social Founction of Science 科学的社会作用

Two factors weigh heavily against the effectiveness of scientific in industry. One is the general atmosphere of

secrecy in which it is carried out, the other the lack of freedom of the individual research worker. In so far as any

inquiry is a secret one, it naturally limits all those engaged in carrying it out from effective contact with their fellow scientists either in other countries or in universities, or even , often enough , in other departments of the same firm. The degree of secrecy naturally varies considerably. Some of the bigger firms are engaged in researches which are of such general and fundamental nature that it is a positive advantage to them not to keep them secret. Yet a great many processes depending on such research are sought for with complete secrecy until the stage at which patents can be taken out.

Even more processes are never patented at all but kept as secret processes. This applies particularly to chemical industries, where chance discoveries play a much larger part than they do in physical and mechanical industries. Sometimes the secrecy goes to such an extent that the whole nature of the research cannot be mentioned. Many firms, for instance, have great difficulty in obtaining technical or scientific books from libraries because they are unwilling to have their names entered as having taken out such and such a book for fear the agents of other firms should be able to trace the kind of research they are likely to be undertaking.

New words and expressions 生词短语

weigh 起作用

(1) 称重：I weigh 100 pounds. I am 100 pounds in weight. How much do you weight?

What is your weight?

(2)起作用：It weighs much.这相当重要=matters

(3)对谁有利： weigh in favor ofbe weighed in favor ofload in favor of

be loaded in favor of

(4)对谁不利：be weighed againstload/be loaded against

The jugement weighs in favor of the defendant.(被告)原告：plaintiff

effectiveness 成效

work.,effective(有效果的)efficient 高效的effect：come into effect, take effect

in so far as 因此

since, in that, as for as sb, is concerned

赞成：sgree ,support ,stant by your side

inquiry 调查研究

investigation(case)

examination(有症结所在作为前提)

check(不清楚有无毛病)

research(科研)

inquiry into(scientific, a case)

inquire into sth.

inquire about(formal)

inquire after sb.

considerably 相当的

程度词considerate:体贴的， 考虑周到的

sb.+thoughtful, helpful, cooperative

considerable+sth.

I make considerable money.(=substantial)

positive 确实的

The result is positive. His words are positively right. 只做程度副词

He is positive in the class.(活跃、积累) positive:成阳性的

patent 获得…专利权

My invention is patented. I’ll/I’d like to paten my invention.

获得：take out a patent 专利局 patent office 专利人：patentee 专利权许可者

(adj.)明显的，显著的=obviousIt is patent that he loves the girl.

seek for 寻求

seek for freedomseek truthseek for true love seek for justiceseek after(指人) 过去

分词:sought

He is much sought after. 抢手 红得发紫The book is sought after.畅销

chance 偶然性的

It is my chance discovery.随便得到chance companion 萍水相逢

偶然发现的东西 I find it by chance. I chance to be there.

extent 程度

to some extent /degree

agent 情报人员

be likely to…可能会…..

it+possible

it/sb.+likely

可能性：likelihood

Notes on the text 课文注释

Two factors:两个因素weigh against:不利heavily—副词 effectiveness:效果 给出主题句

general secrecy 普遍存在的保密性atmosphere:氛围，气氛it—research

One …,the other the tack of freedom of the individual research worker.

只有并列结构可以省掉谓语

My brother is a driver and my sister a nurse.

lack of freedom 没有自由度(个体区别)

general atmosphere(大环境)

research worker:研究者

In so far as 由于，因为

主语 it—resarchlimit=prewent:阻止，限制engaged in---后置定语

limit from :阻止contact 交流 effective 有效的 fellow scientists 同行

often enough 平凡 firm 公司

contact with 保持联系(v.) contact me(n.)keep contact with me

touchkeep in tuch

vary 变化=is diffientIt varies from one family to another.

be of 结构general 普遍的，基础的 fundamental 基础的

such…..that

a positive advantage—主语

to them 对他们而言

it---not to keep them secret(形式主语)

be open to any advice and suggestion

yet—转折process 研究过程such research---general and fundamental

are sought for 被追求表示状语：with complete secrecy

until:直到industries:各个行业

where…..---表原因chance discoveries:偶然的发现

part：作用they do---chance discoveries

highly predictable 高度可预测性go to 达到

such….that 如此,以至于nature 本性，特点

for instance 比如说(插入语)

have great difficulty in obtaining technical or scientific books from libraries…..

他们有极大困难获得专业的科普书籍

difficulty=troublehave a difficulty=unwilling to do sth.

they are unwilling to 他们不想这样做

enter 进入，签名 sign 签名=have sth. done

have taken out 借书 for fear(虚拟)唯恐，担心trace 踪迹

have a difficulty in =unwilling to do sth.不愿做…..

I have a difficulty shopping with you.(强调客观性)

=I am unwilling to shop with you.(更强调主观性)

as 作为for fear 唯恐(一见这个词，就是虚拟语气)

in case , lest+(should ) do

so as not to (口)

trace=find:发现trace the route:寻觅踪迹

undertaking(=carry out) 从事Cheshire:郡=county

to such an extent 达到如此的效果新概念法师

The student goes to such an extent that he is rude to his teacher.