Publication at Faculty of Arts |
2016
Abstract
An analysis of early debates about "new historiography" (xin shixue) in late imperial and republican China with special focus on the relationship to domestic historiographical tradition and new demands for scientific approach. It brings together opinions by Liang Qichao, Mao Zishui, Hu Shi, Gu Jiegang and He Bingsong and against them the criticism of conservative scholars from the Guocui circles, and comes to a conclusion that both the proponents of "revolution in historiography", and their critics, shared beieve that Chinese historiography must use scientific methods and serve the needs of national development.
The article is conceived in response to recent debates about a specifically Chinese historical thinking in modern times.