一场农战史论争所折射出的研究方法问题

方之光、毛晓玲与潘旭澜商榷的文章不仅有不少漏洞,而且所采用的商榷及研究方法背离了历史学的实事求是和求真的原则。潘文从史实出发,对太平天国提出了较全面的批评意见,这些意见与史学界的普遍看法基本一致。方文则无视史实,也无视史学界的公论,认为太平天国推动了历史的前进。方文坚持几十年不变的传统理论,沿用陈旧的解释话语,反映出传统农战史专题封闭性和保守性的特征。方文与潘文的这场论争,对于在当前史学转型中如何改造农战史专题以及改进历史学的研究方法,有着重要的借鉴意义。

Methodological Problems Reflected in a Controversy over Peasant War History

Fang Zhiguang and Mao Xiaoling's Discussion Paper with Pan Xulan was full of loopholes and errors,furthermore,its way of criticism and methodology severely violated historical studies principles of seeking truth from facts.Proceeded from the historical facts,Pan's paper made a total negation on Taiping Heavenly Kingdom which basically held the identical views with most history scholars.Disregarding the basic historical facts and the public opinions,Fang and Mao thought that Taiping Heavenly Kingdom pushed the historical trend forward.They adhered to the traditional theory and the outmoded discourse in the past several decades.Their paper reflected the characteristics of those close-minded and conservative on the special research topic of Peasant War History.During the period of current history studies transformation,we can draw on the experience of this controversy to consider how to remould the Peasant War History studies and improve the methodology in history studies.