论历史证据与史料的认识关系

On the Cognitive Relation between Historical Evidence and Historical Materials

传统历史证据观已不能解释史学史中的变化,亦无助于当代历史研究。其主要错误之一是颠倒了历史证据与史料间的认识关系,从而导致历史证据的认识问题往往被替换为史料的认识问题。造成此错误的根本原因在于它源自"想象"而非实际。文章从历史学家的具体实践出发,勾勒出一种大异其趣的历史证据观。事实上,主体首先认识历史证据,随后才了解史料;史料的认识论基础来源于历史证据,其意义在于成为历史证据的潜能。

The traditional view on historical evidence cannot explain the changes in the history of historiography,nor can it help the contemporary historical research. One of the main errors is that it confuses historical materials with historical evidence. The traditional idea originates from"imagination"rather than reality. This paper outlines a different view on historical evidence and argues that historians first understand historical evidence,then go to historical materials. The epistemological basis of historical materials is historical evidence,and the significance of materials lies in their potential to become historical evidence.