核心问题
下面的译文是否准确？
Science consists in grouping facts so that general laws or conclusions may be drawn from them. (Darwin)
[原译]科学的目的就在把一些事实汇集拢来，以便从而引出一般的法则与结论来。
(钱歌川:《翻译的技巧》, p. 522)
词典解答
先从译文的内容看,汇集事实并不是科学的目的,而是科学工作的一个步骤。再从原文 consist in 的语义看,它并无“目的在”的意思,而是“在(于)”(have sth. as its main part, have sth. as its essential quality)的意思:
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The beauty of Venice consists in the style of its ancient buildings. (LDCE) 威尼斯之美在于它的古代建筑物的风格。
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The happiness of a country consists in the freedom of its citizens. (ALD) 一个国家的幸福以其公民之自由为主要因素。
[试译]科学就在于搜集整理事实,以便从中引出普遍性的规律或结论来。