投资 · 西方古典
托马斯·马尔萨斯:人口论·摘录 138
托马斯·马尔萨斯《人口论》· An Essay on the Principle of Population · 投资
The first three propositions may be considered a complete syllogism. If by adequately communicated, be meant such a conviction as to produce an adequate effect upon the conduct, the major may be allowed and the minor denied. The consequent, or the omnipotence of truth, of course falls to the ground. If by 'adequately communicated' be meant merely the conviction of the rational faculty, the major must be denied, the minor will be only true in cases capable of demonstration, and the consequent equally falls. The fourth proposition Mr Godwin calls the preceding proposition, with a slight variation in the statement. If so, it must accompany the preceding proposition in its fall. But it may be worth while to inquire, with reference to the principal argument of this essay, into the particular reasons which we have for supposing that the vices and moral weakness of man can never be wholly overcome in this world.
出处:
https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/4239
定位:Excerpt 138 · 核对日期:2026-10-19 · 核验:短摘录
白话
马尔萨斯在这里拆解戈德温的论证:所谓“真理被充分传达就会产生相应效果”,要么指真理能直接驱动行为,要么仅指理性上被说服。若指前者,则大前提成立但小前提不成立——人明知真理却未必照做;若指后者,则大前提不成立——理性认同不等于行为改变。因此“真理万能”的结论站不住。他进而提出,要结合人口原理考察:人的恶习和道德弱点为何不可能在现世被彻底消除。
上下文
马尔萨斯《人口论》批评戈德温的完美主义,指出真理传播未必能改造人性。
今日一问
你明知某个道理正确,却仍不行动,原因是什么?
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