论司马迁对伯夷和叔齐的评价

On Sima Qian’s Evaluation of Boyi and Shuqi

传统的中国学者都将伯夷和叔齐视为道德楷模,将司马迁的《伯夷列传》视为对伯夷、叔齐的赞扬。司马迁在《伯夷列传》和《史记》相关章节中的描述却显示伯夷和叔齐并不符合司马迁自身的道德标准。此外,司马迁通过在《伯夷列传》中所展示的种种矛盾,告诉读者历史叙述和历史判断的多重可能性,并由此捍卫了其写史和历史评判方法的合理性。

Most Chinese scholars think Sima Qian regards Boyi and Shuqi as moral models. I use materials in the Shift besides ＂the Biography of Boyi and Shuqi＂ as internal evidences to argue that because Boyi and Shuqi＇ s behavior narrated by Sima Qian contradicts Sima Qian＇ s own moral principles, it is unlikely that Sima Qian regards Boyi and Shuqi as moral models who pursued and attained ten, or benevolence. Moreover, by posing controversial questions, Sima Qian tries to lead his readers to probe into the complexity of history and the diversity of historical narrative, and indicates us his confidence in the power and authority of his own writing.