中古社会史研究的数理统计与士族问题--评毛汉光先生《中国中古社会史论》

用数理统计的方法研究魏晋隋唐社会的变迁及其对政治的影响 ,可以使该时代社会政治史更具有确定性 ,避免轻易的定性分析造成的以论代史 ,但也遇到史料不完整和不确定的障碍 ,对史料的选取判断体现了作者对历史的理解。士族的特点是什么 ,与寒素、豪强、官僚有何区分 ,其向城市的迁徙具有什么意义 ?这些都是研究中古社会史必须予以明确回答的基本问题。

Mathematical Statistics of the Studies of the Social History of Mediaeval Times and the Issue of the Gentry --A Review of Treaties on the Chinese Society of Mediaeval Times by Mr. Mao Han-guang

The use of mathematical statistics in the research of the social vicissitudes of Wei-Jun Dynasties and Sui-Tang Dynasties and their influence on politics can make the social and political history of this period more definite, and can avoid the replacement of historical facts by the historical statements due to arbitrary qualitative ananlysis. But it is still handicapped by incomplete and indefinite historical materials. The selection of historical materials embodies the author's understanding of history. What are the characteristics of the gentry, what are their differences from the middle class, the powerful and influential lords and the bureaucracy, and what is the meaning of their migration towards cities In the research of the social history of Mediaeval times, these basic issues must have definite answers.