從比較史學的角度出發，本文指出現代史學代表了一種新的歷史意識。 這種歷史意識區分了過去與現在，提倡從現在的立場回視過去，重寫歷史。在中 國，這一現代歷史意識肇始於梁啟超的《新史學》，而在胡適、何炳松、傅斯年、 羅家倫和姚從吾等人的著作中得到充分發展。這些受到西方科學訓練的學者力求 從科學的角度重新解釋中國歷史。他們的努力不僅幫助了人們認識過去，而且重 新改造了中國的傳統。

　　　　　By comparing the developments of historical writing in China and theWest, this article argues that modern Instoriographv promotes a newhistorical consciousness, which distinguishes past and present andadvocates the need to rewrite history from the present perspective. InChina, this new and modem historical consciousness was first introducedby Liang Ch'i-ch'ao and was fully developed bv the work of some Westerntrained historians like Hu Shih, Ho Ping-sung, Fu Ssu-nien. Lo Ch'ia-lun.and Yao Tsung-wu. Enthusiasm for scientific history inspired/buoyedthese historians to search for a new interpretation of Chinese history. Inrecreating China's past. they also constructed a new tradition.