The "Historical Consciousness" of the Chinese Nation

All human behavior, including mental activity, contains a certain historicity. When we investigate anything, apart from examining its current state, we also attend to its past. The current state is merely the "sea level" presented by the mutual interconnection of things, while what supports the "sea level" is a history as vast as the deep ocean. The understanding and comprehension of history is historical consciousness. Every nation possesses historical consciousness, but the forms and characteristics it manifests are not entirely the same. Understanding and grasping the historical consciousness of the Chinese nation plays an important role in the continuity and renewal of Chinese civilization.

人类的一切行为包括思维活动都包含着某种历史性。我们对任何事物的探究，除了考察它的现状之外，就是关注它的过往。现状只是事物相互联系而呈现出的“海平面”，而支撑“海平面”的则是纵深海域一般的历史。对历史的认识与理解就是历史意识。各个民族都有历史意识，但表现出来的形式和特征却不尽相同。认识和理解中华民族的历史意识，对中华文明的延续和更新有着重要作用。

Historical consciousness and its functions

历史意识及其功能

Historical consciousness, broadly speaking, is humanity's recognition of its own process of development, manifested in humanity's memory, reflection, and judgment of history, as well as the summary and application of historical experience. Historical consciousness includes not only the memory of historical events and historical figures, but, more importantly, includes the judgment and reflection on history, i.e., rational thought. Historical consciousness is a unique cognitive ability of humanity, enabling humans to stand on the ladder of historical experience and continuously develop to higher levels.

历史意识概括地说就是人类对自身发展过程的认识，它表现为人类对历史的记忆、反思、评判以及对历史经验的总结与运用。历史意识不仅包含了对历史事件、历史人物的记忆，更重要的是包含了对历史的评判与反思即理性思考。历史意识是人类特有的认识能力，它使人类能够站在历史经验的阶梯上，不断向更高的层级发展。

The German philosopher Nietzsche believed that historical consciousness includes a "monumental" historical consciousness and a "critical" historical consciousness, i.e., a historical consciousness inclined to summarize experience and a historical consciousness inclined to reflect and critique. [1]1 Friedrich Nietzsche (1844–1900), German philosopher, discusses historical consciousness in his work "On the Uses and Disadvantages of History for Life" (1874), distinguishing between monumental, antiquarian, and critical history. The German historical philosopher Jörn Rüsen defined historical consciousness as the totality of spiritual activities that transform past experience into a guide for practical life through recollection. [2]2 Jörn Rüsen (born 1938), German historian and philosopher of history, known for his theory of historical consciousness. The Japanese scholar Yoshio Kawakatsu argued that historical consciousness is a self-awareness in which humans place themselves within history, explore the laws and meanings of the historical process itself, and thereby question the meaning of human existence. [3]3 Yoshio Kawakatsu (1917–1999), Japanese historian of Chinese thought and Buddhism. Other scholars hold that historical consciousness is the conscious activity by which people transform historical experience into a guide for life, containing the purposefulness of taking history as a model to indicate the path of development for later generations.

德国哲学家尼采认为，历史意识包含“纪念性质的”历史意识和“批判性质的”历史意识，即倾向于总结经验的历史意识和倾向于反思与批判的历史意识。德国历史哲学家约恩·吕森则将历史意识界定为通过回忆将过去的经验转化为生活实践导向的精神活动的总和。日本学者川胜义雄认为历史意识是人类将自身寄于历史之中，探寻历史过程本身的规律与意义，进而追问人类存在意义的自觉。还有学者认为，历史意识是人们将历史经验转化为生活导向的有意识的活动，包含将历史作为典范、指示后人发展进路的目的性。

Although different scholars emphasize different aspects in their explanations of historical consciousness, when summed up, historical consciousness includes the following connotations: historical consciousness is a conscious awareness gradually formed in people's historical practical activities and ultimately internalized as embodying the subject's spirit; historical consciousness is people's understanding and perception of the inseparable connection between themselves and the past; although historical consciousness leans toward understanding the past, it is closely linked to contemporary practical problems—studying history and summarizing history serve the purpose of solving practical problems.

虽然不同的学者对历史意识的解释各有侧重，但归纳起来，历史意识包含了以下几个方面的内涵：历史意识是人们在历史性的实践活动中逐步形成的、最终内化为一种体现主体精神的自觉意识；历史意识是人们对自己与过去不可分割的联系的理解和感悟；历史意识虽然偏重于对过往历史的理解，但与当代现实问题紧密相连，学习历史、总结历史是为解决现实问题服务的。

Historical consciousness is undoubtedly consciousness about history, but more importantly, it has contemporaneity. So-called contemporaneity means adopting a contemporary standpoint to attend to and evaluate history, and embracing contemporary problem-awareness to attend to history. Zhang Taiyan once said, "If one does not read the classics, one does not know the way to conduct oneself; if one does not read history books, one has no way to love one's country." [4]4 Zhang Taiyan (1868–1936), Chinese philologist, philosopher, and revolutionary. The contemporaneity of historical consciousness determines that the significance and function of historical consciousness are directed toward contemporary practice. The function of historical consciousness is interpretation, or rather to provide a basis of meaning and material for discourse for interpretive activities. Either explain the past from the standpoint of the present, or explain the present based on historical experience. By arranging different dimensions of history in chronological order, humanity can clearly recognize the meaning of its practical activities. The "meaning" hidden in the depths of history is interpreted as a cultural form. Through specific forms of interpretation, humanity elucidates the value of history for itself, and effectively grasps and applies this value as an object. Only then can people truly live meaningfully. Humanity's autonomous, conscious, and free activities cannot be separated from the interpretation of history. Because historical consciousness is the prerequisite for the formation of "meaning," it makes the present understandable and the future logically predictable through interpreting past experience, thereby giving all our practical activities a profound historical background and a clear goal orientation.

历史意识毫无疑问是关于历史的意识，但更重要的是，它具有当代性。所谓当代性，就是站在当代的立场来关注和评价历史，怀抱当代的问题意识来关注历史。章太炎曾说：“不读经书，则不知自处之道；不读史书，则无从爱其国家。”历史意识的当代性决定了历史意识的意义和功能是指向当代实践的。历史意识的功能在于解释，或者说为解释活动提供意义基础和话语材料。要么站在当今的立场解释过去，要么根据历史经验解释当今。人类通过把历史的不同维度按时间顺序进行整理，可以清晰认识到人类实践活动的意义。蕴含在历史深处的“意义”，是作为文化形态被解释出来的。人类通过特定方式的解释，阐明历史对其的价值，并有效地把这种价值作为对象来掌握和运用，这样，人才能真正有意义地生活。人的自主、自觉、自由的活动，离不开对历史的解释。由于历史意识是“意义”得以形成的前提，它通过解释过去的经验而使现在得以被理解并使未来得以被合乎逻辑地预测，从而使我们的现实活动都有了深厚的历史背景和明确的目标导向。

When it comes to the historical development of a nation and a country, historical consciousness is a cultural framework in which the subject, through experiencing changes over time and interpreting that experience in specific ways, integrates it into something that fits actual life. Within this cultural framework, people on the one hand use it for self-positioning, and on the other hand accept the constraints of the historical and cultural context established by this framework, thereby cultivating their historical sense and collective memory. The Australian historian Greg Dening said: "Of all the systems that express a nation's identity, the most acute and the clearest is its historical consciousness." [5]5 Greg Dening (1931–2008), Australian historian and anthropologist, known for his work on the history of the Pacific Islands. Thus, historical consciousness, through interpretation, enables us to understand the past, thereby understanding the present and predicting the future.

当涉及国家和民族历史发展的时候，历史意识就是主体通过对时间变化的体验，并把这种体验用特定的方式加以阐释，整合成一种符合实际生活的文化框架。在这种文化框架中，人们一方面以之进行自我定位，另一方面接受这种框架所确立的历史和文化语境的约束，从而培养他们的历史感和集体记忆。澳大利亚历史学家格雷格·邓宁说：“在所有表达一个民族身份的系统中，最敏锐、最清晰的是他们的历史意识。”这样，历史意识通过解释而使我们理解过去，进而理解现在以及预测未来。

Characteristics of the Chinese nation's historical consciousness

中华民族历史意识的特征

The issue of historical consciousness is one of the hot topics in academia. After the Sixth Plenary Session of the 19th Central Committee of the CPC, [6]6 The Sixth Plenary Session of the 19th Central Committee of the Communist Party of China was held in November 2021; it adopted a landmark resolution on the Party's major achievements and historical experience over the past century. academic discussions on the theory and method of "historical experience" have been quite lively. "Summarizing historical experience" is a manifestation of historical consciousness. The uniqueness of the Chinese nation's historical consciousness, as well as its functions and roles, requires our systematic summary and promotion.

历史意识问题是学术界的热门议题之一，党的十九届六中全会之后，学术界关于“历史经验”的学理和方法的讨论比较热烈，“总结历史经验”是历史意识的一种表现。关于中华民族的历史意识的独特性以及它的功能与作用，需要我们系统地总结与弘扬。

Historical consciousness has national characteristics. China's historical consciousness has the characteristics of the Chinese nation: it emphasizes the continuity of history and the inheritance of historical culture, and focuses on summing up experience from history, drawing inspiration and wisdom to solve practical problems. Revering history, summarizing history, applying history, and relying on history to move toward the future—these are manifestations of the Chinese nation's unique historical consciousness.

历史意识具有民族特征。中国历史意识具有中华民族特色，它强调历史的连续性以及对历史文化的传承，注重从历史中总结经验、吸取灵感和智慧来解决现实问题。敬畏历史，总结历史，运用历史，依托历史而走向未来，这是中华民族独特历史意识的表现。

The historical consciousness of the Chinese nation has unique forms and connotations. General Secretary Xi Jinping pointed out: "Valuing history, studying history, and learning from history is a fine tradition of the 5,000-year history of Chinese civilization." [7]7 Xi Jinping, speech at a symposium on the study of history, 2021. Overall, historical consciousness possesses distinct features such as depth, continuity, and practicality. So-called "depth" refers to a tendency to explore deep into history, to revere ancient history and traditions, and to have a particularly profound perception of the depth and weight of history. So-called "continuity" refers to connecting the past, present, and future, emphasizing the continuity and wholeness of history, as well as the inheritability of culture. So-called "practicality" refers to not treating history as a simple memoir; it possesses objective truthfulness and is an important resource and tool for solving contemporary problems.

中华民族的历史意识具有独特的形式和内涵。习近平总书记指出：“重视历史、研究历史、借鉴历史是中华民族5000多年文明史的一个优良传统。”总体上看，历史意识具有纵深性、贯通性、现实性等鲜明的特征。所谓“纵深性”，指喜欢往历史深处探索，推崇古老的历史与传统，对历史的深邃与厚重有特别深刻的感悟；所谓“贯通性”，指把过去、现在与未来贯通起来，注重历史的连续性和整体性，也注重文化的传承性；所谓“现实性”，指不把历史看成简单的回忆录，它具有客观真实性，是解决当代问题的重要资源与工具。

China's vast classical historical canon, complete system of official historians, and rich and diverse folk historiography highlight the status of "history" in the minds of Chinese people and the uniqueness of the Chinese nation's historical consciousness. This uniqueness is manifested in three aspects:

中国庞大的历史经典体系，完备的史官系统以及丰富多样的民间史学，彰显了“历史”在中国人心目中的地位以及中华民族历史意识的独特性。这种独特性表现在三个方面：

Adhering to a historical outlook that combines "historical rationality" with "historical experience." China's historical consciousness follows a logic that combines rationalism and empiricism. On the one hand, we do not like to tailor historical materials from preset ideas; instead, we record events as they originally were as much as possible, think along the lines of mixed historical materials and concrete historical practical activities, and find answers to practical problems from them. On the other hand, China has a tradition of "modeling oneself on the former kings" (fa xian wang). "Mencius spoke of the goodness of human nature, and in every word he invoked Yao and Shun." [8]8 A phrase from the Mencius (Mengzi), referring to the mythical sage-kings Yao and Shun, exemplars of virtuous rule. "If any statement does not accord with the former kings and does not conform to ritual and propriety, it is called villainous talk." [9]9 A quotation from the Xunzi, advocating conformity with the ways of the ancient sage-kings and ritual propriety. "Former kings" represent the order of history and also the highest ideal of history. "Modeling oneself on the former kings" means returning to a certain historical rationality and historical spirit.

坚持“历史理性”与“历史经验”相结合的历史观。中国历史意识遵循的是理性主义与经验主义相结合的逻辑，一方面，我们不喜欢从预设的理念出发剪裁历史材料，而是尽量按事件本来的样子去记录，顺着芜杂的历史材料和具体的历史实践活动去思考，从中找到解决现实问题的答案。另一方面，中国有“法先王”的传统，“孟子道性善，言必称尧舜”“凡言不合先王，不顺礼义，谓之奸言”。“先王”代表了历史的秩序，也代表了历史的最高理想。“法先王”就是回归某种历史的理性和历史精神。

Adhering to a historical outlook of seeking truth from facts. "Following the ways of Yao and Shun and taking as models King Wen and King Wu," [10]10 From the "Doctrine of the Mean" (Zhongyong), part of the Confucian canon, advocating following the models of ancient sage-kings. "transmitting rather than creating, believing in and fond of antiquity." [11]11 From the Analects of Confucius (7.1), expressing Confucius's self-description as a transmitter of ancient culture rather than an innovator. The "transmitting" here refers to presenting history faithfully and in its original flavor. The ancients' study of historical phenomena, like the study of natural phenomena, emphasized a factual investigation (seeking truth from facts), without arbitrarily cutting historical materials from concepts or rational principles. Wang Fuzhi argued: "Seek principles from facts, do not set principles to limit facts." [12]12 Wang Fuzhi (1619–1692), Chinese philosopher and historian of the late Ming and early Qing dynasties, known for his materialist and empirical approach. China's historical consciousness requires presenting history in its objective original appearance in order to ensure the authenticity of experiencing past experience within the dimension of time—that is, to ensure that from the experience of accomplished facts one can smoothly deduce new action logic and behavioral context.

坚持实事求是的历史观。“祖述尧舜，宪章文武”，“述而不作，信而好古”，这里的“述”，就是指忠实于原貌而原汁原味地呈现历史。古人对历史现象的研究与对自然现象的研究一样，都强调实事求是的研究，不从概念或理性原则出发随意剪裁史料，王夫之讲求“有即事以穷理，无立理以限事”。中国的历史意识要求以客观原貌呈现历史，是为了保证在时间的维度中对过往经验体验的本真性，也就是为了保证在既成事实的体验中能够顺势引申新的行动逻辑和行为脉络。

Adhering to an organic view of history. The so-called organic view of history, first, emphasizes the interconnection of historical events and elements; second, emphasizes the coherence and inheritance of history. Viewed from the narrative methods of Chinese classical history, the ancients' historical narratives often follow this path: the narration of various events is seamlessly integrated, allowing readers as far as possible to glimpse the full picture of history within a certain conjuncture; attention is paid to the mutual involvement and interrelation of different events; care is taken to reveal the complexity of history. "It is like entering the Jianzhang Palace, with a thousand gates and ten thousand doors, all interconnected within." [13]13 An allusion to the vast network of corridors and halls within the Jianzhang Palace of the Han dynasty, used metaphorically to describe complex interconnections. They consciously link different historical events together to construct an organic historical scene. At the same time, they also connect events that occur in succession, especially past events with current ongoing matters, building a consciousness of historical continuity.

坚持有机的历史观。所谓有机的历史观，一是强调历史事件、历史要素的相互联系；二是强调历史的连贯性和传承性。从中国历史经典的叙事方式观之，古人的历史叙事往往遵循如下路径：对各种事件的叙述浑融一贯，尽量让读者在某一时局下窥到历史全貌；注意各事件之间的相互关涉、相互牵连；注重揭示历史的错综复杂性。“如入建章宫，千门万户，内自相通。”自觉地把不同的历史事件联系起来，建构起有机的历史场景。同时，也会把先后出现的历史事件、特别是过去的事件与当下正在进行的事情联系起来，建立起历史连续性意识。

Historical consciousness and the enhancement of thinking ability

历史意识与思维能力的提升

General Secretary Xi Jinping pointed out: "When we review history, it is not to seek comfort from success, nor to find an excuse for avoiding the difficulties and problems we face today, but to summarize historical experience, grasp historical laws, and enhance the courage and strength to forge ahead." History can be used for reference; learning from history serves to solve practical problems. The role of the Chinese nation's historical consciousness in reality is mainly manifested in its ability to transform into important methods of thinking. By applying these methods, people enhance their ability to solve problems.

习近平总书记指出，“我们回顾历史，不是为了从成功中寻求慰藉，更不是为了躺在功劳簿上、为回避今天面临的困难和问题寻找借口，而是为了总结历史经验、把握历史规律，增强开拓前进的勇气和力量”。历史可以被借鉴，借鉴历史是为了解决现实问题。中华民族历史意识在现实中的作用，主要表现为它可以转化为重要的思维方法。人们通过对方法的运用进而提升解决问题的能力。

Cultivating historical consciousness can enhance strategic thinking ability. Strategic thinking ability refers to the ability to take a broad and long-term view, to command the overall situation, and to be good at grasping the overall trend and direction of the development of things. Like innovative thinking, strategic thinking is oriented toward the future and unknown fields. The Chinese nation's historical consciousness adheres to an organic view of history, is good at deriving new action logic from established historical facts, and formulates long-term plans for future action. Clearly, this contains elements of strategic thinking. Strategic thinking focuses on solving the direction and orientation of the development of things. Together with innovative thinking, it enriches and deepens people's understanding of the historicity of the development of things, and more profoundly reflects the role of historical consciousness in reality.

培育历史意识可以提升战略思维能力。战略思维能力是指高瞻远瞩、统揽全局、善于把握事物发展总体趋势和方向的能力。战略思维与创新思维一样，都是面向未来和未知领域。中华民族的历史意识坚持有机的历史观，善于从既成的历史事实中，引申出新的行动逻辑，并制订出未来行动的长远规划。很明显，这包含了战略思维成分。战略思维着眼于解决事物发展的方向和方位问题，它与创新思维一起丰富和深化了人们对事物发展历史性的理解，也更深刻地体现了历史意识在现实中的作用。

Cultivating historical consciousness can enhance historical thinking ability. The so-called historical thinking ability is the ability to sum up experience from the laws of historical development, grasp the direction of progress, and guide practical work. This ability is precisely the basic requirement of the Chinese nation's historical consciousness. Embodied in practical work, we need to respect history, respect tradition, and learn to use history to reflect reality. "Studying history can help one understand success and failure, discern gains and losses, and know the rise and fall." [14]14 A common Chinese saying promoting the value of historical study, often attributed to classical sources such as the Zizhi Tongjian. Using history as a mirror to solve practical problems requires placing real things within the continuity of history for judgment, applying systematic and holistic historical thinking, grasping the laws of development of things in the unity of following regularity and meeting purposefulness, and solving practical problems.

培育历史意识可以提升历史思维能力。所谓历史思维能力，就是从历史发展规律中总结经验，把握前进方向，指导现实工作的能力。这种能力正是中华民族历史意识的基本要求。体现在现实工作中，我们需要尊重历史，尊重传统，学会以历史映照现实。“学史可以看成败、鉴得失、知兴替”，以历史为镜鉴解决现实问题，就要把现实事物放到历史的连续性中进行判断，运用系统性整体性的历史思维，在合规律性与合目的性的统一上来把握事物发展规律，解决现实问题。

Cultivating historical consciousness can enhance dialectical thinking ability. The so-called dialectical thinking ability is the ability to examine things from the movement and change of internal contradictions, from the mutual interconnection of various aspects, so as to fully understand and grasp things as a whole and in essence. The characteristic of dialectical thinking is that it develops the historical dimension of Marxist dialectics—that is, the process dimension—thus breaking through the barrier between history and reality and promoting the integration of history and reality. Therefore, dialectical thinking is used not only to analyze and observe history, but also to analyze and handle practical problems.

培育历史意识可以提升辩证思维能力。所谓辩证思维能力，就是从内在矛盾的运动变化中，从各个方面的相互联系中考察事物，以便从整体上、本质上完整地认识和把握事物的能力。辩证思维的特点在于发展了马克思主义辩证法中的历史维度，注重事物的发展性、过程性、历史性。由于辩证思维强化了辩证法的历史维度，即过程性维度，因而打通了历史与现实的隔碍，促进了历史与现实的融合。所以，辩证思维不仅用来分析和观察历史，同样用来分析和处理现实问题。

Cultivating historical consciousness can enhance systematic thinking ability. Systematic thinking ability refers to the ability to observe, analyze, and solve problems comprehensively, systematically, and with universal interconnection. The Chinese nation's historical consciousness adheres to an organic view of history, emphasizing the interconnection of historical elements—a systematic view of history. That is to say, the Chinese nation's historical consciousness is permeated with a systematic concept. Therefore, cultivating historical consciousness enables us to accurately grasp the historical orientation in practice, to make overall plans and maintain comprehensive balance, and to strengthen forward-looking thinking, overall planning, and holistic promotion.

培育历史意识可以提高系统思维能力。系统思维能力是指全面、系统、普遍联系地观察、分析、解决问题的能力。中华民族的历史意识坚持有机的历史观，强调历史要素的相互联系，是一种系统的历史观。就是说，中华民族的历史意识中贯穿着系统观念。因此，培育历史意识可以使我们在实践中精准把握历史方位，统筹兼顾、综合平衡，加强前瞻性思考、全局性谋划、整体性推进。

Cultivating historical consciousness can enhance innovative thinking ability. The so-called innovative thinking ability is the ability to solve problems in a novel and unique way, or to make things break away from old models and old frameworks and form new models and new frameworks. As a theoretical and practical method, innovative thinking enriches history itself by displaying people's active creation. To treat history with innovative thinking, we must strive to promote the creative transformation and innovative development of fine traditional Chinese culture, so that tradition and reality are integrated; to handle practical problems with innovative thinking, we must have a strong problem-awareness and focus on solving a series of deep-seated contradictions and problems facing China's development.

培育历史意识可以提升创新思维能力。所谓创新思维能力，就是以新颖独到的方法解决问题或者使事物脱离旧模式旧框架而形成新模式新框架的能力。创新思维作为一种理论和实践方法，通过展示人的主动创造丰富了历史本身。用创新思维对待历史，就要努力推动中华优秀传统文化的创造性转化创新性发展，使传统与现实相融通；用创新思维处理现实问题，就要有强烈的问题意识，着力解决我国发展面临的一系列深层次矛盾和问题。

Cultivating historical consciousness can enhance law-based thinking ability. Law-based thinking ability refers to the ability to use law-based thinking and law-based methods to carry out work, solve problems, and promote development. Law-based thinking is a kind of institutional thinking, requiring acting in accordance with institutions and rules. The Chinese nation's historical consciousness contains a spirit of pursuing "governance" (zhi dao). "Governance" is mature governance methods and governance experience. It includes not only the principles, policies, and measures for governing the country, but also contains value concepts and cultural pursuits. In the current era, the best method of governance is of course law-based governance. Therefore, cultivating historical consciousness can enable us to commit to the construction of a law-based country, law-based government, and law-based society, to consciously exercise power within the constraints of institutions and laws, and to exercise power and perform duties in accordance with statutory authority, rules, and procedures.

培育历史意识可以提升法治思维能力。法治思维能力是指运用法治思维和法治方式开展工作、解决问题、推动发展的能力。法治思维也就是一种制度思维，要求按制度办事、按规矩办事。中华民族历史意识中有一种追求“治道”的精神，“治道”是成熟的治理方式和治理经验，它不仅包括治理国家的方针、政策、措施等，更蕴含着价值理念和文化追求。当今时代，最好的治理方式当然是法治。因此，培育历史意识可以使我们致力于法治国家、法治政府、法治社会建设，自觉在制度和法律的约束下行使权力，依照法定权限、规则、程序行使权力、履行职责。

Cultivating historical consciousness can enhance bottom-line thinking ability. Bottom-line thinking ability refers to the ability to realistically assess the situation, plan for the worst, and strive for the best results. The Chinese nation's historical consciousness contains a tradition of "taking Yin as a mirror" (Yin jian). [15]15 From the Book of Songs (Shijing): "The mirror of Yin is not far away; it lies in the age of the Xia." Yin (Shang dynasty) was the previous dynasty whose downfall served as a warning for the Zhou. "Taking Yin as a mirror" focuses on approaching history from the negative side, using historical negative material as a mirror to reflect the right and wrong, good and evil of reality. Therefore, "taking Yin as a mirror" is often linked to a sense of urgency. It is precisely this sense of urgency and alertness to the negative side of history that gave birth to the strong sense of renovation (weixin) and the feeling of family and country in Chinese civilization. Bottom-line thinking precisely contains a profound sense of urgency; it requires a global vision, anticipating risks, holding the bottom line, and seeking benefits while avoiding harm. Therefore, cultivating historical consciousness can enable us in practical work to strive to objectively understand the boundaries of things, analyze specific problems specifically, shore up weaknesses, give play to strengths, plan for the worst, and strive for the best results, thereby firmly grasping the initiative in work.

培育历史意识可以提高底线思维能力。底线思维能力是指实事求是地评估形势，从最坏处着眼而争取最好结果的能力。中华民族的历史意识中有一种“殷鉴”的传统，“殷鉴”注重从负面切入历史，以历史的反面材料为镜子来照见现实的是非与善恶，所以，“殷鉴”往往与忧患意识联系在一起，正是这种忧患意识和对历史负面的警觉，催生了中华文明浓厚的维新意识与家国情怀。底线思维恰恰包含了深刻的忧患意识，它要求以全局视野，前瞻风险，守住底线，趋利避害。因此，培育历史意识可以使我们在实际工作中努力客观地认识事物界限，具体问题具体分析，补齐短板，发扬优势，从坏处着眼，向最好的结果努力，从而牢牢掌握工作的主动权。

(The author, Lin Guobiao, is a special researcher at the Hainan Research Center for the Theory of Socialism with Chinese Characteristics and a professor at the School of Marxism, Hainan University.)

（作者：林国标，系海南省中国特色社会主义理论体系研究中心特约研究员、海南大学马克思主义学院教授）

Online editor: Huihui

网络编辑：慧慧