Chinese History Research Method

Author: Liang Qichao
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2006-04-01
Features: Traditional Chinese academic studies, after experiencing a period of stagnation and fluctuation in the late Qing Dynasty, saw the emergence of a group of master scholars from the late Qing and early Republican era. With profound roots in Chinese classics and a synthesis of Eastern and Western thought, they not only mapped out new fields of academic research but also pioneered a scholarly approach and academic style that were both harmonious, comprehensive, and rich in individual characteristics. This latter aspect has become a particularly cherished core issue in the current academic trend of "century-long reflection," which emerged after a decade of (twists and turns) in the academic world. This series selects works that are particularly innovative yet concise and invites renowned experts today to provide introductions. These introductions not only clarify the theoretical frameworks and extract the essence of the works but also emphasize their academic lineage, historical and cultural context, as well as the specific circumstances and mindset of the authors at the time. Thus, readers can not only gain a precise understanding of the original texts but also highlight the academic personalities of these masters. It is believed that this design is more (closer and reliable) than simply reading the original works or broadly summarizing the characteristics of the academic trends of that era. The original texts are classic works that set an example for future generations, while the introductions are incisive and concise arguments. They are a perfect match, complementing each other. This may be the irreplaceable feature that distinguishes this series from other similar series in the market and makes it worthy of preservation. Research Methods of Chinese History and Supplement to Research Methods of Chinese History are the culmination of Liang Qichao’s years of academic research on history. In the preface to Research Methods of Chinese History, Liang Qichao himself said, "I have been determined to pursue this career for over twenty years." If we count from the publication of On Chinese History in 1901 until the publication of this book, it has also been "over twenty years." Liang Qichao extensively studied the history writings of both Eastern and Western scholars, combined them with the past and present of Chinese historical texts, systematically organized and lectured on them, analyzing them in detail with brevity and clarity. His work included theory, methods, examples, and judgments. Research Methods of Chinese History and its Supplement are indeed masterpieces of modern Chinese historiography. Many of its academic insights remain highly valuable references today. However, over the more than two decades that followed, Chinese society underwent profound changes, and as time passed, Liang Qichao’s thoughts also evolved. Upon completing Research Methods of Chinese History, he remarked, "In the twenty years, the accumulated notes and drafts have reached over a foot in length, yet I dare not trust them to ask the world." Shortly after its publication, he added revisions and corrections, saying, "When I wrote Research Methods of Chinese History, I was truly troubled by this issue (referring to the causality of history). I doubted the laws of causality but could not discard them. Now, looking back at this old work, I find it somewhat laughable. I said 'it is impossible and harmful to govern history with the laws of causality,' yet I also said 'it is absolutely unacceptable to avoid discussing causality.' The root of my problem at that time was my belief that the laws of causality were an indispensable attribute of science, which made me hesitant to confront them, leading to such contradictory and incomplete views." If Liang Qichao originally acknowledged the "laws of causality," it meant he still believed that historical development followed certain patterns. But now, he had abandoned the "laws of causality" and began to doubt the historical claims of the past.