历史社会学视域中经典概念及其研究范式之反思——以“差序格局”为中心

Reflections on Classic Notions and Their Research Paradigms in the Perspective of Historical Sociology

"差序格局"是费孝通提出的理解中国社会结构的经典概念。有研究者将差序格局置于先秦至晚清民国丧服制度这一礼治传统之中,提出向内与向外的双向度批评。实则,费孝通所论家内的"自我主义"有田野调查根据,也与秦汉律令规定相符。恰恰应该反思以丧服制度诠释差序格局的可行性。丧服制度仅仅在战国秦汉魏晋南朝时期作为现实的叙族方式,且其历史实践与儒学"亲亲仁民爱物"的理想相违背。昭穆制度在汉代以来以儒学重构家国天下的历程中复兴,并取代丧服制度成为现实的叙族方式。基于社会学理论而脱离原创语境和历史语境对经典概念内涵的扩大,无益于社会学中国化的话语体系建构。历史社会学的研究不能仅仅全盘接受书面的经典性知识,而忽视具体的历史实践过程和运作逻辑。对历史文本和历史实践,尤其是不同层次历史实践的精准区分和辨析,将有助于进一步完善历史社会学的研究范式,并建构对于历史真实的社会学认知。

'Differential pattern(chaxu geju,差 序 格 局)'is a classic sociological notion introduced by Professor Fei Xiaotong to explain Chinese social structure.Some scholars place it in the ritual tradition of Sangfusystem(丧服制度)ranging from pre-Qin to late Qing and the Republic of China,and criticize it from two aspects.This paper aims to argue that Prof.Fei’s theory is based on his participated observation in the fieldwork and is in accordance with laws and regulations of the Qin and Han dynasties.Furthermore,we should re-think the feasibilities of explaining 'differential pattern'through Sangfu system.As a practical structure of clan families and home families,Sangfu system only existed from the Warring States Period to the Wei-Jin and Southern dynasties.Zhaomusystem(昭穆制度)arose in the Han dynasty when Confucianism reconstructed family,nation and land under heaven,and replaced Sangfusystem to function until the late imperial period.To conclude,the understanding and explanation of Classic notions in Chinese sociology need to be placed in their social and historical contexts,and to avoid expanding their connotations only through western sociological theories.Besides,the historic sociology research should distinguish between historic institutions,historic texts and historic practices,in order to obtain a sociological understanding of true history.