gre作文题库：GRE作文范文大全（26）
A telling example of the inherent danger of setting "official" research priorities involves the
Soviet government's attempts during the 1920s to not only control the direction and the goals
of its scientists' research but also to distort the outcome of that research--ostensibly for the
greatest good of the greatest number of people. During the 1920s the Soviet government
quashed certain areas of scientific inquiry, destroyed entire research facilities and libraries,
and caused the sudden disappearance of many scientists who were viewed as threats the
state's authority. Not surprisingly, during this time period no significant scientific advances
occurred under the auspices of the Soviet government.Secondly, to compel all researchers to focus only on certain areas would be to force many to
waste their true talents. For example, imagine relegating today's preeminent astrophysicist
Stephen Hawking to research the effectiveness of behavioral modification techniques in the
reform of violent criminals. Admittedly, this example borders on hyperbole. Yet the aggregate
effect of realistic cases would be to waste the intellectual talents of our world's researchers.
Moreover, lacking genuine interest or motivation a researcher would be unlikely to contribute
meaningfully to his or her "assigned" field.
Thirdly, it is difficult to predict which research avenues will ultimately lead to the greatest
contributions to society. Research areas whose benefits are certain often break little new
ground, and in the long term so-called "cutting-edge" research whose potential benefits are
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unknown often prove most useful to society. One current example involves
terraforrning---creating biological life and a habitable atmosphere where none existed before.
This unusual research area does not immediately address society's pressing social problems.
Yet in the longer term it might be necessary to colonize other planets in order to ensure the
survival of the human race; and after all, what could be a more significant contribution to
society than preventing its extinction?
In sum, when it comes to setting priorities for research, at least in the sciences, the speaker
goes too far by implying that research whose benefits are unknown are not worth pursuing.
After all, any research worth doing delves into the unknown. In the final analysis, the only
objective of research should be to discover truths, whatever they might be-- not to implement
social policy.
Issue 49
"So much is new and complex today that looking back for an understanding of the past
provides little guidance for living in the present."
The speaker claims that since so much in today's world is new and complex the past
provides little guidance for living in the present. I agree with this assertion insofar as history
offers few foolproof panaceas for living today. However, I disagree with the speaker's claim
that today's world is so unique that the past is irrelevant. One good example that supports my
dual position is the way society has dealt with its pressing social problems over time.
Admittedly, history has helped us learn the appropriateness of addressing certain social
issues, particularly moral ones, on a societal level. Attempts to legislate morality invariably fail,
as illustrated by Prohibition in the 1930s and, more recently, failed federal legislation to
regulate access to adult material via the Internet. We are slowly learning this lesson, as the
recent trend toward legalization of marijuana for medicinal purposes and the recognition of
equal rights for same-sex partners both demonstrate.
However, the only firm lesson from history about social ills is that they are here to stay.
Crime and violence, for example, have troubled almost every society. All manner of reform,
prevention, and punishment have been tried. Today, the trend appears to be away from reform
toward a "tough-on-crime" approach. Is this because history makes clear that punishment is
the most effective means of eliminating crime? No; rather, the trend merely reflects our current
mores, attitudes, and political climate. 感谢您阅读《GRE作文范文大全（26） 》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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