试析希腊史学的理性特征

On one rationalistic character of Greek history

古代希腊史学在哲学的影响之下,逐渐形成了理性批判精神。希腊历史学家正是以这种批判和自由探究的理性精神为思考基础,在本体论方面形成了人是历史活动的主体和历史发展有其自身规则的思想,在方法论方面提出了严格的史料怀疑和批判原则,确立了以求真求实为史学宗旨的正统地位。希罗多德和修昔底德在希腊史学家中最具代表性,他们在理性的创作过程中奠定了西方史学的基石。

Influenced by ancient Greek philosophy, history in ancient Greek was gradually provided with a rationalistic character, by which the Greek historists made their thinkings on the basestone of rational cognition. They believed that the humankind was the main body in the past movement of society and the development of society had its own rule. They advocated the rigorous carefulness and preciseness was the principle of dealing with history records. Among these historists, Herodotus and Thueyidides were most representative, their writings full of rationalistism shaped the cornerstone for the whole west history.