摘要
美国价值观的核心内容可以说凝聚在美国《独立宣言》中被广为引用的一句话：“我们坚信这些真理不辨自明,即人人生来平等,造物主赋予每个人一些不可剥夺的权利,其中包括生命,自由和对幸福的追求。”在美国的历史现实中，有过背离这一追求的黑暗时刻和做法，即使在今天，背离的现象也仍然存在，但这作为美国人民最根本的信仰和传统价值观却是无可争议的。
在本篇论文中，作者将美国富有典型代表性的传统价值观综合总结为三对：个人自由和自力更生；机会均等和公平竞争；物质财富和勤奋工作。在每一对中，前者为追求的目标，后者为需为此付出的代价。作者同时指出在21世纪需要新的价值观：一是环保节约的观念；另一个是更多强调合作，而不是极端个人主义。文章全面的阐述有助于加强我们对美国文化和美国人民的理解。
关键词：价值观 信仰 挑战
Abstract
The core content of American values can be condensed as a words, that is “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain inalienable rights, which among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.’’ ,which frequently excerpted from the Declaration of Independence. In the reality of American history, there are some black times and evil deeds which disobey this pursuit. Even today, the phenomena still exist. However, it is no doubt that most of Americans consider it as traditional basic American values and beliefs.
In this thesis, the author lists three pairs of values which typically represent American traditional ones. Meanwhile, the author also point out some challenges that the “traditional” encounter today with the social progress and new values the American need adopting at the 21st century, one is the conception of environmental protection and resources conservation; the other is more attention should be paid on cooperation rather than extremely egoism. The all-round statement can help us to enhance our understanding of the American culture and its people.
Key words: values, beliefs, challenges
Contents
Abstract in English…….……………………………………………………………ⅰ
Abstract in Chinese…….………………………………………………………….ⅱ
1. Introduction…….………………………………………………………………….1
2. Backgrounds……………………………………………………………………….3
2.1. Melting Pot or Salad Bowl………………………………………………………3
2.2. Freedom of religion In the United States…………………………………………3
2.3. History background……………………………………………………………….4
2.4. Cultural background…………………………………………………………5
3. Traditional basic Values and Beliefs…………………………………………….6
3.1. Individual Freedom and Self-Reliance………………………………………6
3.1.1. History Origins of Individual Freedom…………………………………………6
3.1.2. Impact of Individual Freedom on American Society Life………………………7
3.1.3. Price of this Pursuit………………………………………………8
3.2. Equality of Opportunity and Competition…………………………………….9
3.2.1. History Reasons…………………………………………………………………9
3.2.2. The Concept Embodied in American Character………………………….10
3.2.3. Price of this Pursuit……………………………………………………………11
3.3. Material Wealth and Hard Work…………………………………………………12
3.3.1. History Reasons………………………………………………………………12
3.3.2. Today’s Changes……………………………………………………………….14
3.4. The Relationship between American Believes………………………….……….14
4. New Values should be Adopted………………………………………………….16
4.1. Conception of Environmental Protection………………………………………16
4.2. Conception of Emphasizing Cooperation ……………………………………….16
5. Challenges on the Values…………………………………………………………18
5.1. The Wave of Immigrants…………………………………………….………18
5.2. Cultural Diversity………………………………………………………………18
Conclusion……………………………………………………………………….20
Bibliography……………………………………………………………………….21
Acknowledgements…….……………………………………………………………22
