《四库总目》史部提要中的求真征实理念

On the Thought of Seeking Truth in the History Branch of SIKUQUANSHU ZONGMU for Short

《四库总目》史部提要,贯穿着四库馆臣鲜明的求真征实理念,这种理念体现在文献考证、史书评价以及拒斥稗官小说入史等方面。四库馆臣认为,家族利益、朋党之争、个人恩怨、爱奇心理等,是导致历史失真的主要原因。为了考证历史真相,四库馆臣主张对史料博采善择、提倡运用金石史料,尤其重视亲历目击及实地考察的史料,并强调阙疑传信的治史态度。四库馆臣求真征实理念的形成,与史学自身的特点、史学发展的时代需要、时代学术风气以及乾隆皇帝的学术观念有关。

The officers who compiled SIKUQUANSHU had the thought of seeking truth which were reflected in the History Branch of SIKUQUANSHU ZONGMU for short. The thought were embodied in textual research,appraising history books,excluding novels from history and so on. The officers believed that family interests,factions,personal animosity and curiosity should be responsible for the distortions in history. To get at the truth in history,they insisted that historians should select useful materials from many sources and use inscriptions of ancient bronzes and stone tablets and materials from witnesses and inquirers. Besides,the officers inclined to leave the questions open. The appearance of the thought had to do with the characteristics of historiography,the real needs,the academic interests of the day,and academic thought of Emperor Qianlong.