发现在中国的历史——关于中国近代史研究的一点反思

Discovering History in China

“在中国发现历史”一语近年在中国颇流行 ,但不少接受者像李大钊所说 ,待之如“通货” ,虽不断流通传播 ,却很少认真审视作者之原意 ,以至于其“形象”有些模糊失真。那一取向本是针对西方 (特别是美国 )的中国研究 ,不一定特别适合于中国大陆的“学情”。至少中国学界对近代史的研究 ,向来注重本国内容而忽视“冲击”中国的外国因素。针对中国大陆多数近代史学人的实际 ,或不如提倡去揭示或发现“在中国发生的历史” ,即从提问层面关注特定时段里“在中国之人 (包括在华外国人 )”的所思所虑所为 。

Recently, the phrase “discovering history in China” has been very popular in China. Quite a number of Chinese scholars, however, treat the phrase like “currency”, as what Li Dazhao put it, circulating and distributing it frequently without looking at its original meaning seriously. Initially, Paul Cohen’s Discovering History in China was aimed specifically at the Western, particularly American, studies of Chinese history. It may not be propitious to the historical studies in China. In fact, Chinese studies on modern China had long been concentrated on the interior substances, while paying less attention to the outside “impact” on China. It would be more appropriate to the Chinese scholarshop if we follow an approach of discovering “history in China”. That is to say, to pay sloser attention to the thoughts and activities of people, including the Chinese and foreighers, in the place of China.overingHi