Sima Qian And Shihchi

The gist of this thesis is proving the dialectical relationship between Chinese historical science and position of Sima Qian, through exploring the cultural background and connotation of Shihchi.The thesis adopted methods of analysis, induction and synthesis, to prove the common fate of the Confucian culture and the ancient Chinese historical science. As part of the Confucian culture, the Chinese historical science (the Spring and Autumn Annals) was born together with the evolution of the Confucian culture and developed along with it (with the outcome of this development being the Zuo Commentary).And following the depression of the Confucian culture the Chinese historical science was depressed during the Qin Dynasty and the early stage of the Western Han Dynasty. Since Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty proscribed all non-Confucian schools of thought and espoused Confucianism as the orthodox state ideology, the Confucian culture has become the main body of Chinese traditional culture. And the historical science had shown a flourishing stage. The age called on historicians to reflect the times with their works. Sima Qian responded to it. He had very good conditions to accomplish the great task. He was young, full of knowledge of the Chinese culture, socially experienced and in senior position. Depending on these conditions, he accomplished Shihchi. In a word, the outcome of Shihchi is the natural result of the development of the Chinese culture.Shihchi is the natural result of the development of the Chinese culture. This is only one aspect of the dialectical relationship between the Chinese culture and the ancient Chinese historical science. Another aspect of it is that the ancient Chinese historical science has the social function of comprehensively reflecting the Chinese culture. That is to say, the historical science is a comprehensive subject which can reflect the overall situation of the society and its culture. Starting from the macro-historical science, Sima Qian compiled Shihchi in the form of encyclopedia. It totally reflects the society and culture from the era of Emperor Huang to that of Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty. Certainly it focuses on the culture of Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty, and emphasizes the main body position of the Confucian culture and the time spirit of culture. The cultural connotation of Shihchi is colorful. It reflects not only the culture of several thousand years, but also the contribution of Sima Qian to the enrichment and development of the Confucian culture. For example, it gave critical thinking and evolution values to historical science. That shows that historical science can not only reflect and convey cultures but also develop cultures.The literal position of Shihchi includes four points. Firstly, Sima Qian started the historical science of presenting history in a series of biographies, which was first in history. Secondly, Sima Qian made Shihchi an outstanding literary work of biographies. Thirdly, the start and development the science of Shihchi further reinforced the literary position of Shihchi. Fourthly, Shihchi became a famous literary work in the world. Thus Sima Qian was high in cultural position in China and the world.This thesis took the angle of the dialectical relationship of the Chinese culture and the ancient Chinese historical science, and proved that Shihchi was the natural result of the Chinese cultural development, and showed the colorful connotation of Shihchi. This is a new attempt to study Shihchi. This attempt may widen the scope and depth of search into Shihchi and contribute to the cross-study of the historical science and the Chinese culture.