海外文化:美國人眼中的道德觀

Do Americans have any morals?That\'s a good question.Many people insist that ideas about right and wrong are merely personal opinions.Some voices,though,are calling Americans back to traditional moral values.William J.Bennett,former U.S.Secretary of Education,edited The Book of Virtues in 1993to do just that.Bennett suggests that great moral stories can build character.The success of Bennett\'s book shows that many Americans still believe in moral values.But what are they?

美國人還有道德嗎？這是個好問題。許多人堅持對與錯乃是個人的意見。但是，還是有些人在呼喚美國人回到傳統的道德價值里去。威廉．班奈特，前任美國教育部長，正是為了此目的而在一九九三年編輯了「美德」這本書。班奈特認為偉大的道德故事可以建造性格。班奈持這本書的成功顯示了許多美國人仍然相信道德的價值。但是它們到底為何？

To begin with,moral values in America are like those in any culture.In fact,many aspects of morality are universal.But the stories and traditions that teach them are unique to each culture.Not only that,but culture influences how people show these virtues.

最開始，道德價值在美國就像在任何其它的文化一樣。事實上，許多道德的觀點是全球一致的。但是，不同的文化則有不同的故事和傳統來教導它們。不僅如此，文化也影響了人民如何表現這些美德。

One of the most basic moral values for Americans is honesty.The well-known legend about George Washington and the cherry tree teaches this value clearly.Little George cut down his father\'s favorite cherry tree while trying out his new hatchet.When his father asked him about it,George said,"I cannot tell a lie.I did it with my hatchet."Instead of punishment,George received praise for telling the truth.Sometimes American honesty-being open and direct-can offend people.But Americans still believe that "honesty is the best policy."

美國人最基本的道德價值之一是誠實。眾所周知的喬治．華盛頓砍櫻桃樹的故事，即將此道德教導地極為清楚。小喬治在試他新斧頭時砍倒了爸爸最心愛的櫻桃樹。當爸爸問他的時候，喬治說，「我不能說謊，我用我的斧頭砍了它。」喬治非但未被懲罰，反而因為誠實而被贊賞。有時候美國人仍然相信「誠實是最上策」。

Do Americans have any morals?That\'s a good question.Many people insist that ideas about right and wrong are merely personal opinions.Some voices,though,are calling Americans back to traditional moral values.William J.Bennett,former U.S.Secretary of Education,edited The Book of Virtues in 1993to do just that.Bennett suggests that great moral stories can build character.The success of Bennett\'s book shows that many Americans still believe in moral values.But what are they?

美國人還有道德嗎？這是個好問題。許多人堅持對與錯乃是個人的意見。但是，還是有些人在呼喚美國人回到傳統的道德價值里去。威廉．班奈特，前任美國教育部長，正是為了此目的而在一九九三年編輯了「美德」這本書。班奈特認為偉大的道德故事可以建造性格。班奈持這本書的成功顯示了許多美國人仍然相信道德的價值。但是它們到底為何？

To begin with,moral values in America are like those in any culture.In fact,many aspects of morality are universal.But the stories and traditions that teach them are unique to each culture.Not only that,but culture influences how people show these virtues.

最開始，道德價值在美國就像在任何其它的文化一樣。事實上，許多道德的觀點是全球一致的。但是，不同的文化則有不同的故事和傳統來教導它們。不僅如此，文化也影響了人民如何表現這些美德。

One of the most basic moral values for Americans is honesty.The well-known legend about George Washington and the cherry tree teaches this value clearly.Little George cut down his father\'s favorite cherry tree while trying out his new hatchet.When his father asked him about it,George said,"I cannot tell a lie.I did it with my hatchet."Instead of punishment,George received praise for telling the truth.Sometimes American honesty-being open and direct-can offend people.But Americans still believe that "honesty is the best policy."

美國人最基本的道德價值之一是誠實。眾所周知的喬治．華盛頓砍櫻桃樹的故事，即將此道德教導地極為清楚。小喬治在試他新斧頭時砍倒了爸爸最心愛的櫻桃樹。當爸爸問他的時候，喬治說，「我不能說謊，我用我的斧頭砍了它。」喬治非但未被懲罰，反而因為誠實而被贊賞。有時候美國人仍然相信「誠實是最上策」。