试论修昔底德的求真思想

Thucydides’ Thought of Authenticity

修昔底德继承发展了古希腊史家的批判精神,确立了史料批判原则,并致力探求历史的本质和普遍规律。修昔底德的求真思想建立在其人性说的基础之上。他认为,历史的本质(人性)是不变的,人性诸要素(欲望、好斗性、情绪等)结合或冲突形成历史的现象。本质可以从具体的、变化的历史事件中认识。因此,修昔底德在《伯战史》中一方面详尽地记述了伯罗奔尼撒战争相关事件;另一方面又主要以人性为切入点,分析历史事件的根本原因,解释历史事件之所以然。为了深刻揭示历史事件背后关于人性的普遍规律和永恒真理,他充分发挥史家自主性,在叙史中对具体史实和演说辞进行建构,其历史书写体现出选择性和典型化叙事特点。修昔底德的求真思想反映了希罗多德之后古希腊史学观念的重大变化,体现了古希腊人历史思维的巨大进步,并对西方后世史学的发展产生了深远影响。

Thucydides inherited the critical spirit from his former ancient Greek historians and developed it,establishing principles of criticism of historical material.Thucydides devoted himself to exploring the essence and general law behind the historical phenomenon,based his thought of authenticity on his theory of human nature.Thucydides believed that the essence of human history,i.e.human nature,is constant.He also believed that the integration or collision of the elements of human nature(desire,aggressiveness,emotion etc.)form human history.The essence of human history can be recognized through specific events and changing history.Therefore,in his book,Thucydides tried as much as possible to describe historical events and activities of human beings which are related to the Peloponnesian war in detail.On the other hand,however,he took human nature as main line to elaborate and explain the fundamental causes of historical events.In order to deeply reveal general law and constant authenticity hidden behind the activities of human beings and specific events,Thucydides gave full play to the autonomy of historians and constructed historical facts and speeches in his narration of history.His historical writing reflected the characteristics of selective and typical narration.Thucydides’thought of authenticity reflects significant change of ancient Greeks’ideas about historiography and enormous progress of their thinking upon history.It has profound effect on Western historiography in later period.