也谈正确认识和认定刑法上的因果关系

Discussion on Correctly Understanding and Maintaining Causality in Criminal Law

认识刑法中的因果关系，应当先从行为的客观性质着手确定行为与结果有无因果关系，然后再结合行为人的主观罪过确定其行为是否属危害行为，进而确定其刑事责任的轻重；刑法中的因果关系是危害行为与危害结果之间的一种内在的、本质的联系，危害行为（即原因）的产生带有偶然性，刑法上因果关系本身是必然性和偶然性的辩证统一；应当正确区分因果关系中的原因与条件；不能把刑法上的因果关系与构成犯罪和承担刑事责任等同起来。

In order to understand causality in criminal law, the following steps should be taken. First, whether there is a causality between an act and a result depends on the objective nature of the act. Then, whether the act is a harmful one should be decided by taking the actor's subjectivity for reference. In addition, the degree of criminal offence can be decided. Causality in criminal law is a kind of inherent, essential relation between harmful acts and harmful consequences. The occurrence of harmful acts (i. e. cause)has contingency. Causality in Criminal Law itself is a dialectical unity of necessity and contingency. Cause and condition in causality should be correctly divided. Causality in criminal law cannot be regarded as an equivalent to constituting crime and bearing the criminal responsibilities.