严复的法制起源说

Yan Fu’s Theory of Origin of Legal System

严复认为法制起因于人类的忧患意识 ,起源于民约 ,社会分工是“民约”变“君令”的重要一环。这些见解系受多种西方理论影响 ,彻底否定了法制由上帝创造或圣贤创造的观点 。

Yan Fu thinks that legal system results from human being’s suffering consciousness,originating from Social Contracts,and moreover the division of labor in society is one of the most important factors which lead to Social Contracts changing into King’s Orders.Affected by many western theories,these opinions completely denies the views that the legal system is created by God or by Sages and Men of Virtue,which meet the needs of the times.