乾嘉考据学新论

A New Theory of Qianjia Textual Criticism

乾嘉考据学家虽然标榜汉学,批判宋学,但他们不同程度地有着宋学渊源与背景,对宋学并未全盘否定;乾嘉学者所倡导的"实事求是"之学,其实有很大的局限性,是一种在膜拜《六经》、尊崇汉儒前提下的先验论;因为不擅科举,他们中的多数功名黯淡,过着"著述难为稻粱谋"的艰辛生活;尽管如此,他们也并非一味消极避世,而是有着可堪称道的"事功之学"。

Although Qianjia scholars of textual criticism all flaunted the banner of Han learning and criticized Song learning, their studies were to varying degrees associated with Song learning or had a background of it. In fact, the base on facts learning they advocated, which emphasizes textual evidences and the realistic attitude, has significant limitations. It is an apriorism that is based on the worship for LiuJing（ six Confucian classics） and the Confucian scholars in Han dynasty. Most of them were not expert in imperial examinations, so it was difficult for them to get an official rank. They tried their best to write books, but the incomes were so low that they had to live a hard life. However difficult circumstances were, they did not just live a sequestered life, but paid considerable attention to the learning which was for a good cause and aimed at practical achievements.