4 Characteristics of a Scholar # 4– Am I spunky? 學者的四個特質之四：我是否有膽有識？
從事學術寫作一段時間後，寫作者難免自問一個基本問題：我是學者嗎？如果性格不適合學術界，卻立志以學術研究為業，終究會徒勞無功。即使是剛踏進這個領域的學生，若能好好檢視自己是否適合走學術路，也不失為明智之舉。假使個性與學術研究並不契合，往後漫長的學術著述工作只會成為惱人的苦差事，讓人不斷感到挫敗沮喪。本文提供幾項檢視方式供您參考。
At some point, an academic writer should ask a fundamental question: Am I a scholar? Pursuit of an academic career will be in vain if a person is ill-suited for academia. Even students who are just passing through the realm are wise to examine if they are a good fit for academic scholarship. If not, the academic writing will forever be fitful and the writer frustrated. Hereafter are ways to examine thyself.
Characteristic # 4: Am I spunky?
特質四：我是否有膽有識？
There might be a word with more gravitas than "spunky" to describe this characteristic of an excellent scholar, but perhaps not. After all, "spunky" is defined as "full of spirit, courage, and determination." That well-describes the character of a top-flight scholar. The spirit of a scholar is evident in his love of intellectual inquiry and the energy he brings to his search for additional or re-discovered knowledge. It is zestful without being frivolous, urgent but unhurried. In short, a spunky scholar steadfastly enjoys his work.
也許有其他更莊重的詞彙可以用來形容出色的學者，也或許，這就是最貼切的形容詞。因為「有膽有識」指一個人充滿活力、勇氣、決心，而這正是一名傑出學者所需具備的條件。從一個人求知的熱衷程度，以及他從事研究時為了探求新知或重新發現既有知識所投入的精力，可以看出他是否具有學者精神，所謂學者精神就是熱忱而不輕佻，求知甚切而又從容謹慎。簡言之，有膽有識的學者對於研究工作是堅定而熱衷。
A true scholar’s courage is monumental. It is demonstrated in willingness to defy convention in pursuit of truth. For all the tributes the academic community pays independent thought, a body of belief can grow up around a discipline until it chokes alternative beliefs. A scholar who takes on this hegemony risks being ostracized by peers. So devotion to ideas and intellectual examination of the status quo is not always a collegial experience. It sometimes is a lonely task undertaken by a brave man or woman.
真正的學者具備過人的勇氣，他們在追求真理的路上勇於突破傳統，即使學術界十分推崇獨立思考的精神，學科發展一段時間後，也可能獨尊一家之言，完全摒棄其他論點，敢於挑戰這種學術霸權的人，同時也面臨遭受同儕排擠的風險。因此，在獻身於理念、檢視既有思維的路上並不一定能夠找到許多同伴，這也許是一條孤獨之路，只有無所畏懼的學者才能承擔。
Determination is the glue that keeps a scholarly quest on course. One can love an idea and boldly express it, but only a determined person will delve into it until it yields whatever fruit grows there. A researcher with conviction learns how to tirelessly navigate material without being either sidetracked into a dead end or misled to a faulty conclusion. His determination is to get to the bottom of the matter, rather than to prove a preconception. Guided by integrity, a determined scholar almost cannot be denied.
決心能讓做學問的道路保持於正軌之上，有些人可能對某個想法具有十足熱誠，也不畏於表達，但只有充滿決心的人會深入鑽研，直到窮盡。信念堅定的學者懂得研究資料的方法，不至於偏軌走進死胡同，也不會被誤導向錯誤的結論，因為他決心要查清事情的來龍去脈，而不是要印證偏見。講求研究倫理、擁有決心的學者絕對會倍受肯定。
At some point, an academic writer should ask a fundamental question: Am I a scholar? Pursuit of an academic career will be in vain if a person is ill-suited for academia. Even students who are just passing through the realm are wise to examine if they are a good fit for academic scholarship. If not, the academic writing will forever be fitful and the writer frustrated. Hereafter are ways to examine thyself.
Characteristic # 4: Am I spunky?
特質四：我是否有膽有識？
There might be a word with more gravitas than "spunky" to describe this characteristic of an excellent scholar, but perhaps not. After all, "spunky" is defined as "full of spirit, courage, and determination." That well-describes the character of a top-flight scholar. The spirit of a scholar is evident in his love of intellectual inquiry and the energy he brings to his search for additional or re-discovered knowledge. It is zestful without being frivolous, urgent but unhurried. In short, a spunky scholar steadfastly enjoys his work.
也許有其他更莊重的詞彙可以用來形容出色的學者，也或許，這就是最貼切的形容詞。因為「有膽有識」指一個人充滿活力、勇氣、決心，而這正是一名傑出學者所需具備的條件。從一個人求知的熱衷程度，以及他從事研究時為了探求新知或重新發現既有知識所投入的精力，可以看出他是否具有學者精神，所謂學者精神就是熱忱而不輕佻，求知甚切而又從容謹慎。簡言之，有膽有識的學者對於研究工作是堅定而熱衷。
A true scholar’s courage is monumental. It is demonstrated in willingness to defy convention in pursuit of truth. For all the tributes the academic community pays independent thought, a body of belief can grow up around a discipline until it chokes alternative beliefs. A scholar who takes on this hegemony risks being ostracized by peers. So devotion to ideas and intellectual examination of the status quo is not always a collegial experience. It sometimes is a lonely task undertaken by a brave man or woman.
真正的學者具備過人的勇氣，他們在追求真理的路上勇於突破傳統，即使學術界十分推崇獨立思考的精神，學科發展一段時間後，也可能獨尊一家之言，完全摒棄其他論點，敢於挑戰這種學術霸權的人，同時也面臨遭受同儕排擠的風險。因此，在獻身於理念、檢視既有思維的路上並不一定能夠找到許多同伴，這也許是一條孤獨之路，只有無所畏懼的學者才能承擔。
Determination is the glue that keeps a scholarly quest on course. One can love an idea and boldly express it, but only a determined person will delve into it until it yields whatever fruit grows there. A researcher with conviction learns how to tirelessly navigate material without being either sidetracked into a dead end or misled to a faulty conclusion. His determination is to get to the bottom of the matter, rather than to prove a preconception. Guided by integrity, a determined scholar almost cannot be denied.
決心能讓做學問的道路保持於正軌之上，有些人可能對某個想法具有十足熱誠，也不畏於表達，但只有充滿決心的人會深入鑽研，直到窮盡。信念堅定的學者懂得研究資料的方法，不至於偏軌走進死胡同，也不會被誤導向錯誤的結論，因為他決心要查清事情的來龍去脈，而不是要印證偏見。講求研究倫理、擁有決心的學者絕對會倍受肯定。
Posted at 2014-10-20 13:01:14
最新回應