2012gre写作宝典:GRE作文范文大全(38)
In sum, to the extent that political authority imposes artificial constraints on knowledge, I
agree that advances in knowledge might require rejection of authority. Otherwise, in my
observation advances in knowledge more typically embrace and build on authoritative
scientific principles and laws, and do not require the rejection of any type of authority.
Issue 81
"International relations can never be completely harmonious because many cultures do not
share the same values."
Does a nation's greatness lie in the general welfare of its people rather than in the
achievements of its artists, rulers, and scientists, as the speaker claims? I find this claim
problematic in two respects. First, it fails to define "general welfare." Second, it assumes that
the sorts of achievements that the speaker cites have little to do with a nation's general
welfare--when in fact they have everything to do with it.
At first blush the speaker's claim might appear to have considerable merit. After all, the
overriding imperative for any democratic state is to enhance the general welfare of its citizenry.
Yet the speaker fails to provide a clear litmus test for measuring that welfare. When we speak
of "promoting the general welfare," the following aims come to mind: public health and safety,
security against military invasions, individual autonomy and freedom, cultural richness, and
overall comfort--that is, a high standard of living. Curiously, it is our scientists, artists, and
political leaders-----or so-called "rulers" who by way of their achievements bring these aims
into fruition. Thus, in order to determine what makes a nation great it is necessary to examine
the different sorts of individual achievements that ostensibly promote these aims.
Few would disagree that many scientific achievements serve to enhance a nation's general
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welfare. Advances in the health sciences have enhanced our physical well-being, comfort, and
life span. Advances in technology have enabled us to travel to more places, communicate with
more people from different walks of life, and learn about the world from our desktops.
Advances in physics and engineering make our abodes and other buildings safer, and enable
us to travel to more places, and to travel to more distant places, with greater safety and speed. 感谢您阅读《GRE作文范文大全(38) 》一文,出国留学网(liuxue86.com)编辑部希望本文能帮助到您。
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