Tradition and Modernization

【传统与现代化兼容并蓄、相得益彰】
Many people pose tradition and modernization as diametrically opposite. For instance, as Beijing increasingly becomes a modern international metropolis, its traditional legacies, architecture and social mores among many other things, are shrinking at an alarming speed. However, more often than not, tradition and modernization are wholly compatible and may even be mutually enriching. The modernization process only serves to highlight the indispensable value of tradition.

Future-oriented as it is, modernization cannot be cut away from the past. Man is an emotional animal whose emotional attachment to the past defines the meaning of his existence in the present and the future. Although many urban planners are involved in a reckless drive for developing high-rise buildings to make their cities look modern, true architects are committed to preserving traditional architecture. This is because demolishing traditional architecture would render modern people rootless and disoriented. Without the past serving as a framework of reference, we would not know where we are heading for.

Being traditional does not mean being old-fashioned or outmoded. Many traditional values are of permanent significance and should be observed in the modern and post-modern eras. Chinese traditional ethics like benevolence and moral integrity should go beyond time and space to serve as universal values. As we strive to modernize our world, we should update and enrich our traditions instead of discarding them altogether. Otherwise, we are being irresponsible to ourselves or to our future generations.

It is true modernization is an irresistible global trend taking place with increasing momentum. However, the best pattern of modernization is the one taking full account of the historical past. Modernization should not be equated with breaking up with the past but rather an extension and incorporation of the past. Accordingly, human civilization retains its continuity and human existence is made meaningful because of this continuity.

                        题目：传统与现代化

        许多人将传统与现代化绝然对立起来。例如，随着北京日益变成一个现代化的国际大都市，其诸多传统遗产，尤其是建筑与社会习俗，正以惊人的速度在消亡。然而，在很多情况下，传统与现代完全可以兼容并蓄，甚至相得益彰。现代化进程反而突显了传统的无可替代的价值。

        虽然现代化面向的是未来，但它却绝不能与过去割裂开来。人类是情感型的动物，其与往昔的渊源关系决定了其当下与未来的生存意义。虽然很多城市规划者肆无忌惮地追逐者建造越来越多的高楼大厦，以使其设计的都市日显现代气息，但真正的建筑大师们却致力于保护传统建筑。这是因为摧毁传统建筑会使现代人失去归属感，从而迷失方向。如果没有过去充当我们的参照系，我们就会浑然不知我们将去向何方。

        保持传统并非意味着抱残守缺或冥顽不化。许多传统的价值观具有永恒的意义，在现代与后现代都应加以恪守。诸如“仁慈”与“正直”这类传统的中国伦理规范应当超越时空，构成人类的普世价值。在追求使我们周围的世界变得现代化的同时，我们需要做的，是对我们的传统进行推陈出新，丰富其内涵，而不是简单地将其弃置不顾。否则，我们就会显得极不负责任，无论是对于我们自己，还是对于我们的子孙后代。

        诚然，现代化是一个无可抗拒的全球性趋势，正在方兴未艾地推进。然而，现代化的最佳模式应是那样一种充分兼顾历史的模式。现代化不应该被等同于与过去宣告决裂，而应是对过去的一种拓展与融合。唯有如此，人类才能维系其连贯性，人类的生存才会由于这一连贯性而富有意义。