Title: The Significance of History and Historical Studies
Lecturer: PENG Wei (Professor of the Institute for Historical Studies at Chinese Academy of Social Sciences)
Chairperson: SUN Jinghao (Professor, Department of History, East China Normal University)
Date: 2 pm, April 27th, 2018 (Friday)
Venue: Room 5303, Building of School of Humanities, Minhang Campus, ECNU
Sponsor: Si-mian Institute for Advanced Studies in Humanities, ECNU
Abstract of the Lecture:
A principal issue of historical studies lies in its relation with social reality. Potential usefulness of history exists not only from selective memory of past, but also an understanding and response to challenges from the time. This idea means intellectual thinking beyond historiographical knowledge, thus makes history, not only contemporary and intellectual history, but also that of social practice. Thus, significance of historical studies is its value of emancipating human soul, improving human judgement and moral conscience, therefore achieving a goal of “usefulness as useful.”
Brief Introduction of the Lecturer:
PENG Wei, Professor of the Institute for Historical Studies at Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, and Chief Editor at The Journal of Chinese Historical Studies. He is specialized in Qing and Han history, historical theories, and journal editorial work. He has published 10 monographs, and more than 100 papers. He is one of leading scholars in current historical studies.