Implications Of Western Learning In Li Tsung-t’ung’s Historiograpy

As a famous historian who made a great variety of academic works in Taiwan,Li Tsung-t’ung has a wide range of historiographical researches,including achievements in the fields of ancient Chinese history,historiography,and history of Qing.However,due to political factors on both sides of the Taiwan Strait and Li Tsung-t’ung’s personal reasons,his long-standing reputation in the mainland was not so notable.Recent years,scholars have made some achievements in Li Tsung-t’ung’s historiography research.However,three shortcomings still exist in academic circle: Sphere for the discussion of his history research methods was not fully filled in;Researches about his academic achievements were not comprehensive;Lack of academic focus on his history research after he moved to Taiwan.Li Tsung-t’ung was born in an upper-class family of the late Qing Dynasty,he inherited his traditional family education since childhood.Before studying in France,Li Tsung-t’ung’s education in China was mostly related to Chinese traditional culture.Experiences of studying abroad successfully changed his academic interests,after he was inspired by occidental industrial civilization,in 1921,the year which Li Tsung-t’ung returned to China for the first time from France,he eventually turned back to literature and history research field.In 1948,after he moved to Taiwan,Li Tsung-t’ung’s academic research entered in a “full-blown” mature stage,hence his own academic interests became more comprehensive and stable.Li Tsung-t’ung’s study of ancient history was highly influenced by Western academic thinking and theories.He drew lessons from Coulanges’ s experience in the study of Greek and Roman ancient history,when he studied ancient history of China,he used social historiography and comparative historiography methods.He took references from the research results of anthropologists A.W.Howittt and J.G.Frazer,to prove that human evolution had an equal stage of view.Although he has limitations in the absorption and application of Western studies,he has opened up new way for the study of ancient Chinese history and provided methods for modern academic development.By comparing the similarities and differences between Li Tsung-t’ung and Xu Zhuoyun,Li Ji,and Guo Moruo in the study of ancient Chinese history,we found that Xu Zhuoyun inherited and developed Li Tsung-t’ung’s historical methods;Li Ji and Li Tsung-t’ung both paid attention to the application of anthropological methods,recognizing the importance of archaeological materials,but Li Tsung-t’ung did not apply his own research methods in the field of archaeology.Both Guo Moruo and Li Tsung-t’ung were inspired by Morgan in the study of ancient history,but their research paths and historical views were different.Li Tsung-t’ung was preferred using the French scholar Coulanges’ research path,and Guo Moruo used the “The Study of Ancient China” as a sequel to “Der Ursprung der Familie,des Privateigentums und des Staats”;Li Tsung-t’ung studied the ancient history of China with the concept of evolutionary history,and Guo Moruo used historical materialism.The reason why Li Tsung-t’ung’s research influence on ancient history was less than Guo Moruo’s was because Li Tsung-t’ung did not inject “fresh blood” into ancient history study.Although his evolutionary history view was rational,he did not meet the call of the times.Li Tsung-t’ung’s historiography studies contains valuable implications of western learning.By focusing on the mentioned case,we can obtain academic contributions in both depicting the epitome of Chinese scholars’ study under the influence of modern western learning,and,in another side,providing references for the introduction and application of modern Western theory.