Cloth and Scholarship -- Hu Yinglin and the Study of the History of Chinese Scholarship

Author: Wang Jiachuan
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2005-04-01
Features: In the author's opinion, the research of predecessors also has some shortcomings caused by objective reasons, one of which is the classification of disciplines, so that the research of predecessors is basically limited to a specific topic, and some of them have not even read all of Hu Yinglin's, linking his relevant arguments to examine them comprehensively. Moreover, due to various reasons such as period-specific research and taking things out of context, Hu Yinglin's insights were mistakenly regarded as the outstanding views of others, leading to praise and commendation being given to the wrong people. The author, of course, does not possess the ability to connect multiple disciplines, but only dares to act with the boldness of a newborn calf, striving to do so. The author's previous studies and research were only trying to clarify what Hu Yinglin's academic achievements were like, and the review of predecessors' research achievements was basically the same. This time, under the guidance of Mr. Qi, and immersed in the pragmatic and innovative academic atmosphere of the Song History Research Center, comparing and contrasting horizontally and vertically, the author aims to comprehensively reveal Hu Yinglin's historical status in the study of traditional academic history, which becomes the only theme of this book. Paying attention to uncovering the methodological factors in Hu Yinglin's academic research is also a basic content of this book.
Chapter 1 briefly introduces the life and interests of Hu Yinglin, with a focus on objectively, comprehensively, and clearly revealing the true nature of his relationship with Wang Shizhen, correcting some superficial and erroneous understandings and conclusions of predecessors. Chapter 2 discusses Hu Yinglin's contributions to the study of the history of classical bibliography and his bibliographical thoughts. The author believes that Hu Yinglin first appeared as a bibliographer and an expert in the history of bibliography. In order to compile a bibliographical work that reflects the situation of books in the Ming Dynasty, he conducted an in-depth study of the history of classical bibliography, which is the cornerstone of all his academic research. Therefore, the main content of this book is first to discuss this part. It involves the compilation of Hu Yinglin's works, his bibliographical aspirations and practices, his summary of bibliographical works and book classification methods of all dynasties, his own book classification methods, as well as his evaluations of historical bibliographical works and various bibliographies, and his in-depth study of important bibliographers such as Zheng Qiao and Ma Duanlin. Through his multi-faceted exploration of the development of classical bibliography, Hu Yinglin completed a comprehensive summary of the history of classical bibliography. The content he involved laid a research system and basic framework for later generations to study the history of classical bibliography from a methodological point of view. The study of the history of classical bibliography led Hu Yinglin to consciously examine the development of book affairs in ancient times, which is the content of this book's third chapter. Hu Yinglin's research in this aspect, like his study of the history of classical bibliography, has an important methodological significance for the establishment of the basic ideas and framework of the study of book affairs in later generations.
Chapter 4 examines Hu Yinglin's achievements in textual criticism. This includes a brief account of the textual criticism before Hu Yinglin, the reasons for Hu Yinglin's writing of specialized books on textual criticism, his classification of ancient forgeries, the "eight methods of textual criticism" he summarized under the principle of "familiar with this book and the end of all books," his attitude, practice, and characteristics in textual criticism, etc. Hu Yinglin's exploration of forgeries was directly derived from his study of the history of bibliography. He was a scholar who conducted theoretical discussions and methodological summaries on traditional Chinese textual criticism. With his rigorous, realistic, and objective pursuit of truth, he critically examined over a hundred ancient forgeries, integrating theory and practice, and becoming an important practitioner in the history of textual criticism. His works have also become a model for textual criticism books that combine theory and practice since modern times, making significant contributions to the development of textual criticism.
Chapter 5 examines Hu Yinglin's contributions to history. According to Hu Yinglin's own classification, he was not a true historian, but rather a historian of historical criticism. However, his scholarly demeanor of extensive learning and deep thought made his historical criticism, whether the theory of the "three strengths and two virtues" of historians or the theory of the distinct talent of historians, the theory of the many misfortunes of historians, or the exploration of the principles of historical criticism, both theoretically and practically meaningful. His understanding of historical materials and annotations, as well as his practice of annotating historical books, showed that he was not just making empty arguments but was closely connected to historical practice, reflecting his scholarly style that valued practicality. Some of his specific historical criticisms were also inherited and developed by later generations. Hu Yinglin regarded textual criticism as the essential element of his scholarship. His characteristic of examining everything he encountered and everything he did made his textual criticism the main content of his academic research. Chapters 6 and 7 of this book are dedicated to discussing Hu Yinglin's various textual criticisms, including his examination of Yang Shen's errors, his historical and textual criticisms, as well as his textual criticism spirit, attitude, principles, and the exploration of academic norms. In the academic atmosphere of plagiarism in the Ming Dynasty, Hu Yinglin was not constrained by the trend and rooted in numerous books, expressing his thoughts, emphasizing self-acquired learning, and making important contributions to the normal development of traditional Chinese scholarship.