Why does the idea of progress loom so large in the modern world? Surely progress of a particular kind is actually taking place around us and is becoming more and more manifest. Although mankind has undergone no general improvement in intelligence or morality, it has made extraordinary progress in the accumulation of knowledge. Knowledge began to increase as soon as the thoughts of one individual could be communicated to another by means of speech. With the invention of writing, a great advance was made, for knowledge could then be not only communicated but also stored. Libraries made education possible, and education in its turn added to libraries: the growth of knowledge followed a kind of compound interest law, which was greatly enhanced by the invention of printing. All this was comparatively slow until, with the coming of science, the tempo was suddenly raised. Then knowledge began to be accumulated according to a systematic plan. The trickle became a stream; the stream has now become a torrent. Moreover, as soon as new knowledge is acquired, it is now turned to practical account. What is called 'modern civilization' is not the result of a balanced development of all man's nature. but of accumulated knowledge applied to practical life. The problem now facing humanity is: What is going to be done with all this knowledge? As is so often pointed out, knowledge is a two-edged weapon which can be used equally for good or evil. It is now being used indifferently for both. Could any spectacle, for instance, be more grimly whimsical than that of gunners ourselves very seriously what will happen if this twofold use of knowledge, with its ever-increasing power, continues.作者: 杜拉斯 时间: 2011-7-9 12:16 标题: 语言与思想 《转化的象征》的笔记-第19页-14段
语言的范围要比语言宽阔,因为语言不过是为了交流儿公式化的思维的外向流动。否则,聋哑人的思维能力将受到极大的限制,而实际情况显然绝非如此。
1. 当我走进洞穴,我看到了一块翠玉,上面写着字,那是从赫尔墨斯的双手间被书写出来。从那里我发现了以下这些文字:When I entered into the cave,I received the tablet zaradi,which was inscribed,from between the hands of Hermes,in which I discovered these word:
2. 真实不虚,永不说谎,必然带来真实:
This true without lying, certain & most true:
3. 下如同上,上如同下;依此成全太一的奇迹。
That which is below is like that which is above and that which is above is like that which is below to do ye miracles of one only thing.
4. 万物本是太一,藉由分化从太一创造出来。
And as all things have been and arose from one by ye mediation of one: so all things have their birth from this one thing by adaptation.
5. 太阳为父,月亮为母,从风孕育,从地养护。
The Sun is its father, the moon its mother, the wind hath carried it in its belly, the earth its nourse.
6. 世间一切完美之源就在此处;其能力在地上最为完全。
The father of all perfection in ye whole world is here. Its force or power is entire if it be converted into earth.
7. 分土于火,萃精于糙,谨慎行之。
Separate thou ye earth from ye fire, ye subtile from the gross sweetly wth great indoustry.
8. 从地升天,又从天而降,获得其上、其下之能力。
It ascends from ye earth to ye heaven & again it desends to ye earth and receives ye force of things superior & inferior.
9. 如此可得世界的荣耀、远离黑暗蒙昧。
By this means you shall have ye glory of ye whole world & thereby all obscurity shall fly from you.
10. 此为万力之力,摧坚拔韧。
Its force is above all force, for it vanquishes every subtile thing & penetrates every solid thing.
11.世界即如此创造,依此可达奇迹。
So was ye world created. From this are & do come admirable adaptations whereof ye process is here in this.
12.我被称为三重伟大的赫尔墨斯,因我拥有世界三部分的智慧。
Hence I am called Hermes Trismegist, having the three parts of ye philosophy of ye whole world.
13.这就是我所说的伟大工作。
That wch I have said of ye operation of ye Sun is accomplished & ended.作者: 杜拉斯 时间: 2011-7-14 21:01