论历史研究中史料运用的原则与态度:以《英国通史:罗马不列颠》为例

On the Principles and Attitude of Use of Historical Sources in Historical Research: Taking A History of England: Roman Britain as Example

在历史研究中,史料的运用不可或缺。史料的史实性与可信度是史料运用最根本的原则。判断史料的史实性与可信度并非易事,因此在运用史料时保持一种严谨科学的态度与批评精神,坚守求真求实的科学方法至关重要。本文以钱乘旦教授为总主编、宋立宏教授主编的《英国通史:罗马不列颠》等为例,阐释了一手资料运用的必要性与原则、史料批评的主要关注点与方法,以及如何有效利用史料研究成果等问题。文章同时指出,史料的史实性与可信度本身并非判断史料价值的唯一标准。由于历史评价维度的扩展,不同体裁与题材的史料被赋予了不同的研究价值。

It is indispensable to use historical sources in historical research. The fundamental principle in the use of historical sources is to evaluate their reliability and historicity,which is not easy at all. It is,therefore,advisable to keep a strictly scientific attitude and a critical spirit in our treatment of the sources,so as to approach the truth as closely as possible. This paper discusses the necessity and principles of using primary sources and the focuses and methodology in source criticism illustrated by A History of England： Roman Britain written by Lihong Song. It also discusses how to make use of research scholarship in our historical research.This paper points out that reliability and historicity are no longer the only criteria to judge the value of the sources. As modern historical research has become more comprehensive and open,historical sources of different genres and topics could be used for different research purposes.