超越文明冲突论:伯纳德·刘易斯的中东史观

Beyond Civilization Conflict Theory:Bernard Lewis' Historical Perspective of the Middle East

伯纳德·刘易斯(Bernard Lewis)是英国第一位研究阿拉伯伊斯兰文明的专业历史学家。刘易斯的核心关注是伊斯兰文明从传统到现代的转变,即伊斯兰与现代性的问题,这让他与文明冲突的理论密切联系起来。特别是在"9·11"之后,他通俗易懂的写作风格使其著作相继位列畅销书的榜首。然而,在盛名之下,人们却几乎忘记了刘易斯的历史学家身份。重新发掘这一点,不仅对于了解刘易斯,而且对于认识西方学界的中东学术史以及理解中东问题本身,都有着重要的意义。

Bernard Lewis is the first professional historian in England,whose teaching and research focus on Arabic-Islamic civilization.Aging 100 years old,he even can be called the greatest scholar on the Middle East,with numerous publications and marvelous popularity.He has been studying and working at London University,University of Paris,and Princeton University.His research is based on 12 languages,both classic and modern,as well as specific work on particular topics such as population,slavery,and revenue,and then extends to a general discussion on Islam.His core concern is the modern transformation of Islam,or Islam and modernity,which leads to his close connection with the thesis of clash of civilizations.After September 11,2001,two of his works became the top of bestsellers,partly due to his language style.While enjoying his reputation,readers nearly forget his identity as a historian.To rediscover this,is not only helpful to understand Lewis,but also the Western academic background as well as the Middle East itself.