錢大昕の考據學としての「史學」について

Abstract

It is commonly believed that Qian Daxin applied the method of textual research used in Confucianism to the study of history. Accordingly, the main thrust of this paper will be to clarify the nature of Qian Daxin's historical studies in the context of its relationship with the Qing 清 period's textual approach, developed as a means to expound the Confucian Classics. It is my opinion that, firstly, in his commentaries on the Confucian Classics, Qian Daxin gave due regard to the meaning assigned to words in the Han period. At the same time his was a typical interpretation, resulting from a positive approach based on the phonetic analysis of Ancient Chinese used. An attempt will be made to prove the above and also to verify that Confucian values played a role in his commentaries. Furthermore, it will be confirmed that Qian Daxin thought of the study of Confucian Classics and history as being one and the same. Accordingly, Qian Daxin's research of history, which was said to be objective and positive in nature, was indivisible from the study of Confucianism. This background of Confucian metaphysics supported his positivism and also made possible subsequent active development. The above was considered within the context of textual research in the Qing period.