守先待後:史學在中國的地位及演變

Inherit and Inspire:The Position and Evolution of History in China

中國古人敬天而不曾尊崇一位絕對全能之神。在這樣的世界裏,歷史和史學具有特出的文化地位。通過歷史記載和敍述,史學說明並論證着關於天道、人世,以及文化和政治認同等各項基本理念,也驗證着君主統治的正當性。漢代獨尊儒術後,史學的功能有所變化,但仍注重記録和傳承,並越來越帶有守先待後的含義。歷史撰述的體制化帶來相應的約束,爲野史和傳說留下了發展的空間。不間斷的正史、相對隨意的野史,以及伸縮靈動的民間傳說,共同構成了今天的"歷史知識"。這一切都因19世紀西方對中國的入侵而改變,不僅史學的社會地位摇擺不定,學校和公衆所關注的歷史内容也有很大的改變,出現了一些帶有西方特色的中國歷史言說。

The ancient Chinese people awed 'tian天' rather than an almighty God,so the history or historiography took an outstanding place in culture.The history records described and demonstrated ideas such as tiandao天道,renshi人事,culture and political identity,and also the legitimacy of the Emperors' domination.However,the function of historiography changed after Han's 'duzun rushu獨尊儒術'.Recording was still important,while inheriting and inspiring were paid more and more attention to.The historical writing became institutionalized and restricted,so there were space for unofficial history and legends to grow.Official and unofficial history and legends formed our history knowledge.It was all changed when the west invaded in 19th century.The position of history wavered;historical contents of public concern changed a lot;and there appeared several western styles of history writings,too.