试论历史及其意义与价值

A Trial Comment on History and Its Significance and Value

历史是什么 ?历史能告诉我们什么 ?本文认为 ,历史是“过去”的一种存在形式 ;是以经验、知识或传统的形式存在于今人的回忆与思考中的“过去”。而过去之所以能够以历史的形式存在 ,是因为它对现实具有意义和价值。意义是历史的风骨 ,价值是历史的品格。它们是人类认识和反思自己的重要依据 ;也是今人了解过去、预测未来、进行创造性实践活动的立论基础。因此 ,人类必须重视学习和理解历史。

What is history? What can history tell us? In the author's opinion, history is only a form of existence of the 'past'. It is a kind of 'past' in the memory and thought of today's people, and it takes the forms of experience, knowledge and tradition. The 'past' can exist in the form of history just because it is of significance and value. Significance is the stem and value is the quality. History is the important basis on which man knows himself and examines himself. It is also the foundation for today's people to understand the past, predict the future and carry out the creative activities. Therefore, man must pay enough attention to the study and understanding of history.