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Sima Qian si xiang mao dun zhi tan suo = An inquiry into the contradictions of Sima Qian's thoughts
Other titles
司马迁思想矛盾之探索
Author
Peh, Chieh Yin
Supervisor
Yan, Shoucheng
Abstract
Although there have been considerable researches into Sima Qian and his renowned Shiji, students are found to have placed much importance to historical figures and form/structure. Although the inconsistencies implied in this work have roused some interest in scholars such as Han Zhao Qi (韩兆琦),th e findings do not suffice to adequately explain some irreconcilable contradictions. This paper aims to interpret the causes of those inconsistencies by shifting the focus onto the thoughts of the historian himself rather than drawing links to the historical and cultural background of his time. With close reading of Shiji, especially the comments and evaluations appended to each chapter in the Basic Annals, Hereditary Houses, and Biographies, and using relevant concepts of psychological and philosophical theories, this paper tries to explore the intrinsic contradictions at play in Sima's thought and unravel their causes. The difficulty in apprehending the idea of wuwei (无为)in light of shi (势 propensity) and its entanglement with the notion of predestination is argued to be the cause of these contradictions, as can be substantiated by different statements made by Sima himself. Then with reference to existentialist philosophy, this paper expatiates upon what contributes to Sima's more acute contradictions, which are arguably born primarily of the conflict between his realisation of Man's finitude and his need for self-fulfilment; thereafter the way Sima tries to ameliorate the contradictions is explored. Finally a plausible model is drawn to give an overview of all these contradictions in Shiji, which not only brings the reader to view Sima beyond the stereotypical image of a fair historian who does not embellish historical truth, but also sheds light on the reason of the inconsistencies in the history. Moreover, some suggestions are made for further study of Sima Qian as a person and his magmnn opus. Tersely summed up, this paper is a pilot exploration and nothing more than a first attempt at conceiving the mental and emotional contradictions Sima may have deeply experienced.
Date Issued
2005
Call Number
DS734.9.S8 P44
Date Submitted
2005