Library News — Weekly Picks

圖書館消息 -- 每週新書精選

 2026-01-28     LIB     Bulletin / 公告 

人類存在的意義 : 一個生物學家對生命的思索
= The meaning of human existence

這是一部跨越科學與哲學的思想傑作。普立茲獎得主愛德華·威爾森以演化生物學的視角，深刻探討人類存在的終極意義。全書從人類的非洲起源談起，追溯我們與宇宙的關係，揭示人類內心自私與無私基因的永恆衝突——正是這一衝突造就了璀燦的文明。威爾森突破傳統思維，將本能、宗教、自由意志等”心靈幻象”還原為演化產物，同時指引我們審視生物多樣性危機與人類未來責任。本書文字優雅深邃，不僅具高度科學性，更富啟蒙意義。
Edward O. Wilson, a two-time Pulitzer Prize laureate, explores humanity’s place in the universe through evolutionary biology. From our African origins to our cosmic significance, Wilson reveals how human civilization emerges from the eternal conflict between selfish and altruistic genes. He deconstructs spiritual illusions—instinct, religion, free will—as evolutionary products. With elegant prose and profound insight, the book addresses our biological future and environmental responsibility, offering a scientifically rigorous yet philosophically inspiring vision of human existence.

 

 

不確定性的力量 : 在變動時代擁抱未知，突破思維框架，提升創造力與決策能力
= Uncertain : the wisdom and wonder of being unsure

在急速變革的時代，我們往往渴望確定性。然而瑪姬·傑克森的這部傑作卻提出大膽主張：不確定性並非弱點，而是創新的源泉。本書透過心理學、神經科學與哲學視角，揭示人類為何害怕未知，以及如何化未知為力量。作者以豐富案例論述，從醫學教育到人工智慧，展現不確定性如何激發創造力、強化決策能力、深化相互理解。這不是教人逃避焦慮，而是引導讀者擁抱模糊狀態，在不可預測的世界中保持智慧與彈性。適合所有尋求在變動中成長的當代讀者。
Maggie Jackson’s groundbreaking work challenges our fear of uncertainty. Through psychology, neuroscience, and philosophy, the author reveals how uncertainty fuels creativity, strengthens decision-making, and fosters mutual understanding. From medical education to artificial intelligence, Jackson demonstrates that uncertainty isn’t a threat but an opportunity. Rather than eliminating anxiety, the book guides readers to embrace ambiguity, developing resilience and wisdom amid unpredictability. This timely guide empowers individuals and leaders to transform uncertainty into growth, creativity, and better choices in our rapidly changing world.

 

 

The opposite of cheating : teaching for integrity in the age of AI

本書由教育倫理與學術誠信專家撰寫，針對生成式AI與網路資源普及下的「作弊困境」提出建設性回應。作者主張把焦點從單純懲罰轉向教學設計與師生關係：理解學生為何作弊、重塑評量目的、強化師生互動，並以實證研究與具體做法示範如何在課堂內外培養誠信與學習動機。書中兼顧線上與實體教學情境，提供可操作的策略，幫助教師在AI時代既守護學術誠信，又促進深度學習與學生成長。
“The opposite of cheating : teaching for integrity in the age of AI” research-based approach to academic integrity in the AI era. Instead of relying solely on detection and punishment, the authors advocate redesigning teaching, assessment, and faculty-student relationships to reduce cheating and enhance learning. Drawing on empirical studies and practical examples across disciplines and modalities, the book provides actionable strategies to foster honesty, meaningful assessment, and student growth—helping educators protect academic standards while adapting to generative AI and online challenges.

 

 

Algospeak : how social media is transforming the future of language

在社交媒體的浪潮中，語言正以前所未有的方式蛻變。哈佛語言學家Adam Aleksic探索了互聯網如何重塑我們的交流方式，從表情符號到新興俚語，從”brainrot”模因到網紅美學，展現語言在數字時代的驚人演進。本書深入解析社交媒體算法如何塑造當代語言，揭示溝通的新邊界。
In “Algospeak : how social media is transforming the future of language” Harvard linguist Adam Aleksic unveils how social media algorithms are revolutionizing language communication. Exploring emerging internet slang, memes, and digital communication patterns, the book reveals how platforms transform linguistic expressions. From emoji etymology to youth vernacular, Aleksic demonstrates how technology reshapes our interactions, offering an energetic, insightful journey into the intersection of digital culture and linguistic evolution.

 

 

Future needs wisdom : an intellectual memoir

本書是歐洲研究委員會前主席 Helga Nowotny 的重磅回憶錄。本書不僅記錄了她在男性主導的科學界中，如何從學術邊緣走向決策核心的傳奇歷程，更深刻探討了人工智慧、科技創新與人類未來的關係。作者結合社會學與政策經驗，指出在充滿不確定性的數位時代，「智慧」並非來自精準預測，而是源於接納矛盾與擁抱未知。這是一部交織了個人生命史、學術思想與烏托邦願景的智慧之作，引領讀者在複雜的世界中尋找前行的方向。
In “Future Needs Wisdom”, Helga Nowotny, a pioneer in Science and Technology Studies, reflects on her extraordinary journey through academia and policymaking. This captivating memoir explores her role in shaping the European Research Council and offers profound insights into the challenges of the AI era. Fusing personal anecdotes with intellectual history, Nowotny argues that true wisdom lies in embracing uncertainty and ambivalence. It is an inspiring roadmap for anyone navigating the complexities of modern science and societal innovation in a fragile future.

 

 

發明與創新
= Invention and innovation : a brief history of hype and failure

本書深入解析人類發明史，揭示技術進步的曲折旅程。著名學者瓦茲拉夫・史密爾以犀利視角檢視科技演變，追溯從石器時代到人工智慧的創新軌跡。書中剖析那些備受期待卻未實現的發明，揭露技術炒作的本質，警示我們在創新狂熱中保持理性。比爾・蓋茲盛讚本書，認為它強化了讀者對技術發展的思考。
In ” Invention and innovation : a brief history of hype and failure” Vaclav Smil offers a compelling exploration of technological evolution, dissecting humanity’s innovation journey from prehistoric tools to modern AI. With keen insights, the book critically examines overhyped technologies, revealing the complex landscape of human creativity. Bill Gates praises Smil’s work for its rigorous analysis, highlighting failed inventions and the often-overlooked challenges in technological progress, making it an essential read for understanding innovation’s true dynamics.

 

 

一線之間 : 流轉於民族歷史、流行象徵、身份認同的眼妝符號
= Eyeliner : a cultural history

眼線不僅是化妝技巧，更是一部微縮的人類文明史。本書作者路拉·羅達爾深入探討眼妝在不同文明中的深意：從古埃及驅邪避災的護身符，到南亞抵抗帝國主義的民族印記；從好萊塢黃金時代的女性魅力，到龐克與歌德文化的叛逆宣言。作者透過這一道道「線」，梳理了性別、種族、宗教與流行文化之間的複雜交織。這不僅是一本關於美妝的書，更是一場關於身份認同的社會學冒險，揭示了我們如何透過雙眼定義自我與觀看世界。
“Eyeliner : a cultural history” by Layla Salih offers a captivating cultural history of eyeliner, tracing its evolution from ancient protection to a modern symbol of identity. The book explores how this simple cosmetic line has served as a religious talisman in Egypt, a mark of resistance in South Asia, and a rebellious tool for subcultures like Goth and Punk. Through insightful analysis, Salih reveals how eye makeup intersects with gender, race, and politics, making it a powerful emblem of human self-expression across centuries.

 

 

香料 : 以摩鹿加群島為中心, 見證十六世紀形塑現代世界的權力地圖
= Spice : the 16th-century contest that shaped the modern world

本書是地中海史權威羅傑·克勞利的震撼力作，以摩鹿加群島為視角，重述十六世紀全球化的驚心動魄篇章。書中深入追溯葡萄牙、西班牙、荷蘭等帝國為爭奪香料貿易展開的驚心動魄角逐，揭示香料貿易如何重塑世界地緣政治版圖。克勞利以細膩筆觸描繪帝國擴張、文明衝突與貿易網絡，展現一部跨越大洋的史詩般血與火的商業史。
Roger Crowley’s “Spice : the 16th-century contest that shaped the modern world” unveils the dramatic 16th-century global power struggle centered on the Molucca Islands. Through masterful storytelling, he explores how the spice trade transformed international relations, with Portuguese, Spanish, and Dutch empires battling for supremacy. Crowley meticulously reconstructs a world where exotic commodities sparked unprecedented maritime adventures, colonial ambitions, and cultural encounters, revealing how these small islands fundamentally reshaped global economic and political landscapes.

 

 

父权: 男性统治的伊始与终结
= The patriarchs : the origins of inequality

本書是一部震撼人心的學術巨著，由知名女性主義學者卡特琳·伊格爾頓深入剖析父權制度的起源與演變。書中追溯人類社會從平等走向等級化的歷程，揭示父權如何在歷史長河中逐步建立、鞏固並支配社會結構。伊格爾頓運用人類學、考古學和社會學的跨學科視角，重新審視性別關係，並展望父權制度可能的終結，為性別平等提供深刻的理論洞見。
In ” The patriarchs : the origins of inequality” feminist scholar Catharine Eagleton offers a groundbreaking exploration of male dominance’s historical roots. Through a multidisciplinary lens, she traces how patriarchal systems emerged, evolved, and embedded themselves in human societies. Eagleton critically examines gender power dynamics, revealing the complex mechanisms of male control while challenging traditional narratives. Her work provides a comprehensive analysis of patriarchy’s origins, offering hope for its potential dismantling and a more equitable social future.

 

 

終結數位焦慮
= The phone fix

本書由腦神經科學家深入剖析當代人的數位依賴困境。作者以科學視角解構網癮成因，提出创新性的「積木法則」，幫助讀者重獲大腦專注力。書中詳細闡述如何在智能手機和社交媒體的洪流中保持清醒，系統性地重建注意力管理機制。通過腦科學研究，揭示數位焦慮的根源，並給出切實可行的擺脫策略，為被技術奴役的現代人指明重獲自我控制的路徑。
“The phone fix” offers a groundbreaking neuroscientific approach to combating technology addiction. The author reveals the brain’s mechanisms behind digital distraction, presenting the innovative “Building Blocks Method” to reclaim cognitive focus. By combining scientific research with practical strategies, the book provides a comprehensive guide to managing digital overwhelm, helping readers understand and overcome smartphone dependency, and restoring mental clarity in an increasingly connected world.

 

 

特权与惩罚 : 美国司法的阴影
= Privilege and punishment : how race and class matter in criminal court.

本書是普林斯頓大學出版社推出的法律力作。本書基於作者對波士頓法院的系統實地考察，通過旁聽刑事聽證與深度訪談，深入揭示美國刑事司法中根深蒂固的不平等現象。形形色色的被告人儘管犯罪性質相同，卻因種族與階層差異遭遇截然不同的懲罰。作者馬修·克萊爾將社會學視角融入法律分析，生動展現了被告人、辯護律師、法官之間如何通過司法過程強化不公正，揭示了法治光環下平等與公正的喪失，令人深思。
“Privilege and punishment : how race and class matter in criminal court” is a groundbreaking legal study by Princeton University Press. Based on systematic fieldwork in Boston courts, Matthew Clair examines how race and class shape criminal justice outcomes. Through courtroom observation and interviews with defendants, lawyers, judges, and officials, the book reveals how identical crimes result in starkly different punishments. By combining sociological insight with legal analysis, Clair demonstrates how the judicial system perpetuates systemic inequality, challenging assumptions about fairness and equal protection under law.

 

 

法律研究学生指南
= A Student’s guide to the study of law

本書是聖母大學傑拉德·布蘭得利教授的經典法學著作。本書以一個根本性問題開篇：法律究竟是為了什麼？作者將人及其共同體視為法律的道德現實基礎，深入探討法律、文化、道德的交融關係。全書分四章系統論證：首先闡述法律的道德根基，其次整合法律的規範性與描述性”雙重生命”，再次檢討宗教在憲法秩序中的角色，最後聚焦犯罪與刑罰等實踐領域。書中穿插六個深度附錄，論述法律與道德的根本關係。適合法律學生與研究者深化思想認識。
A Student’s Guide to Legal Study, authored by Gerard V. Bradley from Notre Dame Law School, explores the fundamental question: what is law for? The book examines law as grounded in human moral reality and community. Across four chapters, Bradley investigates the relationship between law, culture, and morality, explores the “double life” of law as both prescriptive norm and descriptive fact, examines religion’s role in constitutional order, and addresses criminal law and punishment. Six appendices deepen discussions on law and morality.

 

 

法的第一课
= Prima lezione di diritto

本書是意大利著名法學家保羅·格羅西的經典之作。本書以”法律究竟是為了什麼”作為核心提問，深入探討法律的本質與價值。作者將法律視為一種文化體驗與社會表現形式，而非單純的技術規範。格羅西從民眾對法律的誤解入手，系統闡述法律的道德根基、歷史演進與社會功能。書中揭示法律如何透過規則對抗武斷、以秩序規避衝突，並檢討法律與國家、權力、暴力的關係。六個深度附錄強化了對法律與道德關係的理論思考，適合初學者與深造者共同閱讀。
“Prima lezione di diritto”, by renowned Italian jurist Paolo Grossi, explores fundamental questions about law’s purpose and nature. Rather than a mere technical discipline, Grossi presents law as a cultural experience and distinctive way to understand and organize society. The book examines how law emerges from misunderstandings of its nature, tracing its moral foundations, historical dimensions, and methodological perspectives. Grossi investigates the relationship between law and state, how legal systems limit power and violence through rules, and how law transcends ordinary understanding to serve society’s organizational needs.