上外版大学英语写作精选第六册(10)

    One more current battle involving the unknown is between sociobiologists and antisociobiologists， and it is a marvel for students to behold. To observe， in open-mouthed astonishment， one group of highly intelligent， beautifully trained， knowledgeable， and imaginative scientists maintaining that all behavior， animal and human， is governed exclusively by genes， and another group of equally talented scientists asserting that all behaviors is set and determined by the environment or by culture， is an educational experience that no college student should be allowed to miss. The essential lesson to be learned has nothing to do with the relative validity of the facts underlying the argument. It is the argument itself that is the education： we do not yet know enough to settle such questions.

    Phrases & Expressions

    move ahead go forward

    plug away work persistently

    at close quarters very near or near together

    out of fashion not popular or approved of

    explain away give a satisfactory reason for； remove objection to by means of a convincing argument

    at the outset at the beginning

    on the part of of or by （sb.）

    have it （that）

    maintain， assert （that）

    think over think carefully about； consider； study

    capitalize on profit by； make full use of （sth.）

    in possession of having； owing

    stir up excite； stimulate； provoke

    catch on become popular or fashionable

    Proper Names

    Lewis Thomas刘易斯。托马斯

    Darwin达尔文

    Walace华莱士

    Grasse格拉斯

    Lovelock洛夫洛克

    Margulis马古利斯

    Gaia盖亚