Why was Liu Zhiji important to the development of historical criticism?

Liu Zhiji (661–721 ce) was a pivotal figure in the development of historical criticism because he authored the Shitong (“Historical Perspectives”), which is recognized as the first comprehensive work on the subject in any language.1

Before his work, Chinese historiography often lacked transparency, as historians typically selected from conflicting sources without citing them or explaining their reasoning. Liu Zhiji transformed this approach by establishing rigorous standards for the discipline that remain relevant to modern historians. His key contributions to historical methodology include:1

• Skepticism: He advocated for a critical, questioning attitude toward historical sources.1
• Independence: He emphasized the necessity of maintaining freedom from deference to established scholars.1
• Preparation: He argued that a historian must possess extensive knowledge of available sources before attempting to make selections.1
• Evidence-based arguments: He insisted that historical claims must be supported by extensive evidence.1

Through these maxims, Liu Zhiji moved the field toward a more analytical and evidence-based practice, elevating the historian's mission to preserve human merit and achieve a form of immortality through accurate record-keeping.1