从求实到求是:数字史学的价值与追求——兼与成一农教授讨论

From Seeking Facts to Seeking Truth:The Importance and Pursuit of Digital History——A Discussion with Professor Cheng Yinong

近些年来,以网络技术和数据分析为基础的数字史学发展迅速,颇有助推史学研究升级换代的趋势,但也引发了诸多学者的担忧和警惕:数字史学在重视技术方法引入的同时,是否有脱离人文关怀,成为“无人”的研究的危险?网络技术是否只在更方便获取多样资料上有助益,而对真正推动史学研究的作用不大?数字史学的价值与追求究竟何在,不仅成为不同立场学者辩论的焦点,更决定了今后史学界对数字史学的态度及其发展,应该引起数字史学研究者的高度重视。实际上,数字史学研究的基本逻辑和传统史学研究并无不同,对群体的关注更不是对人的漠视或人文关怀的降低。数字史学能更为有效地从长时段和大规模群体两方面入手,切实沟通史学求实的学科本位和史学求是的学术追求,从而彰显历史学科的活力与价值。

In recent years, digital historiography which relies on network technology and quantitative analysis hasdeveloped rapidly. While promoting traditional historiographical studies, such developments have also beena source of academic concern and anxiety: as digital historiography focuses on the introduction of technicalmethods, does this carry the risk of neglecting traditional humanistic concerns and producing a sort ofinhuman research? Does digital technology merely provide more convenient access to diverse sources ofhistorical data, but have little impact on truly promoting historical research? The importance and pursuit ofdigital historiography therefore is not just a topic of debate among scholars from different standpoints but alsoof importance to the current and future attitude and direction of the historical research community. In fact,digital historiographical research is not different from traditional history in terms of its thinking. Focusing oncollective behavior does not necessarily mean ignoring individuals and humanistic concerns. Rather, byfocusing more on the longueduréeand on the collective, digital historiography can more effectivelydemonstrate and communicate the importance of seeking facts as part of historical research as well as theimportance of history to seek scientific truths, thus highlighting the vitality and value of history.