Research Methods in the Study of Chinese History: Century Library

Author: Liang Qichao
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2006-04-01
Features: Traditional Chinese academic, after experiencing stagnation and hesitation in the late Qing Dynasty, emerged a group of master scholars from the late Qing to the early Republic of China. With profound roots in Chinese classics and integrating Eastern and Western knowledge, they not only mapped out new fields of academic research but also pioneered a scholarly approach and style that were both comprehensive, harmonious, and rich in individual characteristics. This latter aspect has become a core issue of particular interest in today's academic world, which has experienced a "century of reflection" trend after years of. This series selects works that are particularly innovative yet concise, and invites renowned experts to provide introductions. These introductions not only clarify the theoretical frameworks and extract the essence of the works but also emphasize their academic origins, historical and cultural backgrounds, as well as the specific circumstances and mindset of the authors at the time. Thus, readers can not only accurately understand the original texts but also highlight the scholarly personalities of the masters. It is believed that this design is more close and reliable than simply studying the original works or vaguely summarizing the academic trends of the time. The original works are classic masterpieces 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, making it worth cherishing. Research Methods of Chinese History and Supplement to Research Methods of Chinese History are the culmination of Liang Qichao's years of academic research in 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 Discourse on Chinese History in 1901 to the publication of this book, it has also been "over twenty years." Liang Qichao extensively studied the historical works of both Eastern and Western civilizations, combined them with the past and present of Chinese history, systematically organized and lectured on them, analyzing them in detail with concise yet profound language. His works included theory, methods, examples, and judgments. Research Methods of Chinese History and its Supplement are indeed masterpieces of modern Chinese historiography. Many of his academic experiences remain highly valuable references today. However, over these more than twenty years, Chinese society has undergone profound changes, and as time passed, Liang Qichao's thoughts also evolved. Upon completing Research Methods of Chinese History, he remarked: "In these twenty years, the accumulated manuscripts have reached a foot in length, yet I dare not trust them to be presented to the world." Shortly after its publication, he made "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 dared 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 reluctant 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," casting doubt on the historical views of the past.