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Catttt Posted 11 years ago
Vocabulary
meaning of a sentence
Can any one please help me with the meaning of the second half of this paragraph?
"Compared with the cool rationalism of science with its material belief in wholeness, the theories employed by thinkers in the arts and humanities seem part of a playful circular game in which the truth is never to be privileged in one direction or another and is always out of reach. It goes without saying that The Truth is not deemed to exist at all and quite few are disenchanted by science, which is often viewed as socially constructed, absurdly self-important and probably sinister."
1. When it says "It goes without saying that The Truth is not deemed to exist at all" is it talking about the nonexistence of truth in science or arts and humanities?
2. Does it mean that because science in not looking for truth, a lot of people are leaving this arena every day, because it looks socially constructed, absurdly self-important and probably sinister? But it does not sound right.
"Compared with the cool rationalism of science with its material belief in wholeness, the theories employed by thinkers in the arts and humanities seem part of a playful circular game in which the truth is never to be privileged in one direction or another and is always out of reach. It goes without saying that The Truth is not deemed to exist at all and quite few are disenchanted by science, which is often viewed as socially constructed, absurdly self-important and probably sinister."
1. When it says "It goes without saying that The Truth is not deemed to exist at all" is it talking about the nonexistence of truth in science or arts and humanities?
2. Does it mean that because science in not looking for truth, a lot of people are leaving this arena every day, because it looks socially constructed, absurdly self-important and probably sinister? But it does not sound right.
Top answer
1. I think "The Truth" is meant as a universal concept that transcends such distinctions. 2.
- 1.
- I think "The Truth" is meant as a universal concept that transcends such distinctions.
- 2.
- I don't think it implies that science is not looking for truth.
- I think that "The Truth is not deemed to exist at all" is a belief attributed to "thinkers in the arts and humanities", not to scientists.
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7 Answers
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1. I think "The Truth" is meant as a universal concept that transcends such distinctions.
2. I don't think it implies that science is not looking for truth. I think that "The Truth is not deemed to exist at all" is a belief attributed to "thinkers in the arts and humanities", not to scientists.
2. I don't think it implies that science is not looking for truth. I think that "The Truth is not deemed to exist at all" is a belief attributed to "thinkers in the arts and humanities", not to scientists.
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1. Art critics endlessly explore theories, possibilities, solutions, and this has no "end point" defined as Universal, Absolute Truth.
2. Science acquires a body of facts and theories; the aim being an understanding of the laws of how the universe works. The basic assumption is that the universe runs by a set of unchanging, perpetual laws, and scientist can predict the future by applying
2. Science acquires a body of facts and theories; the aim being an understanding of the laws of how the universe works. The basic assumption is that the universe runs by a set of unchanging, perpetual laws, and scientist can predict the future by applying
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Thank you for your interpretation. So, how about the meaning of "quite few are disenchanted by science" Does it mean "every day many people lose their interest in science?" Because "quite few sounds a little weird to me. And is it talking generally about the public or about art critics?
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red appleBecause "quite few sounds a little weird to me. And is it talking generally about the public or about art critics?Probably the latter.
"quite a few" is a common and natural phrase.
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Yes, but not "quite few" (without an "a") as used in the original text. It might be a typo.
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red appleYes, but not "quite few" (without an "a") as used in the original text. It might be a typo.Hmm, sorry, I think I need to get some new glasses today.
Yes, I expect it is a typo for "quite a few".
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Thank you for all your guidance.
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