文化史学是什么?--兼论新旧文化史学的内在一致性

与以兰克为代表的政治史学相比较,文化史学主要围绕四个命题(或假设)而展开。第一,从研究对象看,文化史书写的不是攸关国家命运的重大事件和政治精英的历史,而是人民大众的历史。新文化史研究的课题虽趋于多样化,但对人民大众特别是下层民众和弱势群体的重视有增无减。第二,从历史观念看,文化史书写的不是一治一乱的历史,而是进步的历史。新文化史家并未远离进步,进步主义史观是其反思和批判的主要对象之一。第三,在目标和方法上,文化史学不以确立单个历史事实为至高无上的职责,而是要求揭示历史事实之间的复杂关系,并究明关系得以展开的背后因素。传统文化史重在探求历史背后的理性精神、科学法则、公理公例,新文化史聚焦文化的历史象征、意义和价值。第四,关于文化史学的功能和任务,无论新旧文化史均不满足于追求历史的真相,而是含有比较浓厚的致用色彩,重视在思想启蒙、教化民众以及文化认同等方面发挥作用。

What is Cultural History:On the Internal Consistency between the Old and New Cultural History

Compared with the political history proposed by Ranke,cultural history is mainly carried out around four propositions(or hypotheses).Firstly,with regard to the object of study,cultural history is not a matter about the fate of a country or the history of the political elites,but the history of ordinary people.Although the research topics tends to diverse,cultural history has increasingly attached importance to the people,especially the lower people and the vulnerable members.Secondly,with regard to the ideas of history,cultural history presents the history of progress rather than the vicissitude.New cultural historians pay attention to progress,and the progressive historical view is one object which is rethought and criticized.Thirdly,on the goal and method,cultural history does not aim at the establishment of a single historical fact,however,it attempts to reveal the complex relationships between historical facts and factors behind them.The old cultural history emphasizes rational spirit,scientific principles and general rules,while the new cultural history focuses on historical symbol,significance and value.Fourthly,on the functions and tasks of cultural history,the old and new cultural history are not simply to state the facts of the past but definitely for some practical purposes,including enlightening and educating the people and playing a role in cultural identity.