自司马迁以降,“究天人之际,通古今之变”即成为中国史学的优良传统。事实上,西方史学也有着同样的传统。不仅如此,18世纪启蒙运动后这一传统还得以“发扬光大”。在科学革命的鼓舞和刺激下,史学界对自身使命有了新认知,即注重对人类历史命运和规律的探寻和总结。在他们看来,人类社会的演进如同自然界存在万有引力一样,也存在着客观规律。嗣后两百年的时间里,史学 Since the fall of Sima Qian, “study of the occasion of heaven and earth, through ancient and modern changes ” that is, the fine tradition of Chinese historiography. In fact, Western historians also share the same tradition. Not only this, the tradition of the 18th century after the Enlightenment has also been able to “carry forward.” Inspired and stimulated by the scientific revolution, historians have gained a new understanding of their mission, that is, they pay attention to the exploration and conclusion of the fate and laws of human history. In their view, the evolution of human society is the same as the gravitation in nature. There are also objective laws. Two hundred years later, history