史料与理论:范文澜探讨汉民族形成的语境

Historical Data and Theory:the Context of Fan Wenlan’s Discussion on the Formation of the Han Nationality

在形塑历史认知的进程中,理论和史料应当怎样关联互动,本是一个涵容广泛而相对抽象的问题,在1950年代关于“汉民族形成”的争论中,却成为一个形影不离的要素。那时所谓“理论”是特定的,即以历史唯物主义为指导性的理论。然而这理论是外来的,它所依据的更多是西欧的史事,与中国的史实是否能“吻合”,是一个不小的问题。为避免削足适履,就需要考虑因地制宜的因素。而理论的指导意义是否要以史料为支撑,在两者的关系中,作为证据的史料到底居于什么样的地位,时人也是见仁见智。其实后人能理解前人,是因为双方有着可分享的意义关联,故理论和史料可以互补。若以“事实是理论的立脚点”为基础,借助古今中外共享的“意义系统”,就更能发挥理论的启迪作用。

In the debate about the formation of the Han nationality in the 1950s,theory became an inseparable factor.At that time,the so-called“theory”was specific,that is,a theory guided by historical materialism.However,this theory is foreign,and it is based on the historical events of Western Europe.Whether it can“match”with the historical facts of China is a big problem.Whether the guiding significance of theory should be supported by historical materials,and what position the historical materials as evidence occupy in the relationship between the two,the then scholars also have different opinions.In fact,the later generations can understand the predecessors because of the shared significance of the relationship between the two sides,so theory and historical data can complement each other.If we take“fact being the foothold of theory”as the basis,we can give full play to the enlightenment of theory with the help of the“meaning system”shared at all times and in all countries.