浅议司马迁“通古今之变”的方法

A Brief Discussion of the Method Sima Qian Adopted to Achieve "a ComprehensiveUnderstanding of Social Changes Both of the Past and of the Present

司马迁为了能做到“通古今之变”采用了三种不同的方法 ,即“原始察终”、“见盛观衰”和“承敝通变”。

This paper investigates into the means by which Si Ma Qian achieved 'a comprehensive understanding of social changes both of the past and of the present'. The conclusion is that Si Ma Qian's method includes three aspects: a consistent survey of the cause and the consequence of various historical events; an analysis of the cause of the prosperity and of the decline of different dynasties; proposal of means to avoid the decline and sustain the prosperity through social reforms.