略论乾嘉史家的考史方法

Briefly on the Textual Research Approaches of Historiographers in the Times of Qian-Jia Emperors

本文通过对乾嘉史家之考史方法的认真、系统的研究,认为乾嘉史家运用归纳、演绎、比较和辩证,以及会通等形式多样的考史方法,对历史记载和历史事实作了全面的考证。这些方法不仅有助于揭示历史的普遍联系及其规律性,进而看到历史发展的特殊性及其差异,而且亦有助于对历史作整体的考察。继之又指出:乾嘉史学成就辉煌,理论水平提高,是与乾嘉史家综合运用各种考史方法密切相关,这就为中国古代考史方法论的形成与总结奠定了基础。

Through serious and systematic studies of the textual research approaches of historiographers in the times of Qian-Jia emperors, this article holds that historiographers in Qian-Jia times conducted textual researches into the historical facts recorded by use of textual research approaches like induction, deduction, comparison, dialectics as well as integration. These approaches are not only instrumental in revealing the general connections and laws of history, further bringing to light the specific characteristics and variations of historical development, but also helpful in investigating history as a whole. The article goes on to point out that the brilliance of the historiographical achievements and higher theoretical levels in the times of Qian-Jia emperors are closely related to the comprehensive application of the various textual research approaches of the historiographers of Qian-Jia times, which laid a foundation for the formulation and summation of the textual research approaches of ancient China.