“历史事实”概念解析?——西方观念史视野下的考察

An Analysis of the Concept “Historical Fact”——An Examination Based upon Its Western Conceptual History

历史事实问题是西方学界史学理论研究关注的问题核心。在现代史学语境中,本体论层面的历史事件与认识论层面的历史事实的二分法,是西方学界思考历史事实问题的基本前提。主观化是西方学界研究历史事实问题的主导理论趋向。原始资料由认识历史事实的充分条件变成必要条件,思想、精神等主观因素成为界定历史事实的根本。在后现代主义历史哲学语境中,海登·怀特等后现代主义者将历史资料看作语言制品,认为历史事实是按语言中的主导隐喻进行的虚构。历史事实的性质不在于认识与实在相符合的"求真"属性,而在于由历史叙事中运用的情节结构模式、隐喻语言等表现出来的"求美"属性。后现代主义者在历史事实问题上的认知有利于学界的自我反思,但并未获得一致赞同。

The problem of historical fact is central to the problems which western academia concern with in historical theory research.In the context of modern historiography,the dichotomy between historical events in ontological aspect and historical fact in epistemological aspect is the basic presupposition for western academia to think about this problem.Subjective tendency is leading theoretical tendency in western academia’s relevant research.Raw data change from sufficient condition to necessary condition in ascertaining historical fact,and subjective elements such as thought and spirit have been the basis of historical fact.In the context of postmodern philosophy of history,postmodernists such as Hayden White consider historical data as linguistic artifact and think that historical fact is fiction on the basis of arch-metaphors in language.The nature of historical fact does not lies in its"seeking truth"attribute which is consistent with reality,but in its"seeking beauty"attribute which is embodied in the emplotment pattern and metaphorical language used in historical narrative.Postmodernists’cognition is helpful to historical self-reflection in the perspectives of historical narrative and language.In so far as the problem of historical fact,postmodernists’theoretical views do not obtain consistent agreement.In so far as the problem of historical fact,postmodernists’theoretical views do not obtain consistent agreement.