生命的意义

But neither can be said to actually be true.

但其实这两者都不能算是真的

Because they,like all models,are just a models in our heads:

因为它们就像所有模型一样 只是我们想象出来的

The best fit of reality we perceive.

最符合我们所认知的现实世界

In fact,physicist are forever creating ever more sophisticated models

事实上 物理学家不断建立更精密复杂的模型

And the truth of those models is impossible to establish.

而我们无法证实那些模型的真实性

A good example of this came in the 1960s.

1960年代出现了一个很好的例子

Physicists devised a theory of really tiny bits of matter,called Quarks.

当时物理学家建构了一套理论 有关一种极微小物质的 叫做 夸克

These quarks were proposed to be the building blocks of the subatomic particle called:A proton.

根据理论 夸克是一种亚原子粒子的组成单元 那种粒子就是质子

The theory our model suggested that

该理论或模型主张

these quarks were held together by a force

夸克被一种力量连结在一起

that got stronger as you tried to separate them.

当你越想分离夸克 力量则越大

If the quarks were bound by tiny rubber bands.

仿佛夸克被小小的橡皮筋绑在一起

This model also implied that there is no way one can ever see a single isolated quark.

这个模型同时指出 人绝对无法看到单一孤立的夸克

At first,some people were skeptical.

起初有些人抱持怀疑的态度

If something by its very definition can never be seen,

若根据事物本身的定义 我们无法观察到它

Can it be said to exist?

这样还能说它存在吗？

Does it make sense to say that quarks are real or not?

那么讨论夸克是真是假有意义吗？

重点讲解

1、perceive

注意到，察觉，意识到（尤指不明显之物）

A key task is to get pupils to perceive for themselves the relationship between success and effort.

关键任务是让学生们自己认识到成功和努力之间的关系。

'Precisely what other problems do you perceive?' she asked.

“你究竟还发现了什么问题？”她问道。

看作；视为；认为

Stress is widely perceived as contributing to coronary heart disease.

压力被广泛认为是导致冠心病的一个因素。

They strangely perceive television as entertainment.

奇怪的是，他们居然将电视看作娱乐。

2、propose

提出；建议；提议

Britain is about to propose changes to some institutions.

英国将提议对一些机构进行改革。

It was George who first proposed that we dry clothes in that locker.

是乔治首先提议我们把衣服挂在那个储物柜里晾干的。

打算；计划

It's still far from clear what action the government proposes to take over the affair.

政府打算采取何种行动处理该事件仍然十分不明朗。

And where do you propose building such a huge thing?

那么你打算在哪里建这么一个庞然大物呢？

提出（理论或解释）

This highlights a problem faced by people proposing theories of ball lightning.

这使得球状闪电理论的提出者所面临的一个问题凸显出来。

Newton proposed that heavenly and terrestrial motion could be unified with the idea of gravity.

牛顿提出天体和地球的运动可以用万有引力来解释。