唐律“一准乎礼”辨正

Dialectic “Yi Zhun Hu Li” of the Codes of Tang

“唐律一准乎礼”是《四库全书总目》对唐律特征所做的一个经典性概括,唐律因此也成了中国传统儒家化的典范和象征。应当注意的是,唐律所据以为准之“礼”是唐礼,亦即秦汉以来繁衍变异了的礼。这种礼及其所代表的价值观念或称之为“礼教”,或称其为“名教”,构成了秦汉以后历代帝制王朝的官方正统。但这种“礼”与孔子所倡导的礼已经有了实质性的差别。因此,对此命题以及中国法律儒家化之类命题都必须辨正地看待,做具体地分析,以确定何者是名副其实的儒家化,何者是形式主义的儒家化。这样,我们才不至于因固有法律的残苛而迁怒于儒家,乃至造成认识上的偏差。

＂Yi Zhun Hu Li of the Codes of Tang＂ is the typical summary about the characteristics of the Codes of Tang. As the result, the Codes of Tang became the example and symbol of the Confucianalized Chinese tradition. What should be paid attention to is that the ＂Li＂ taken as the standard of the Codes of Tang is Tang Li, i.e. the variation of Li which had been evolved from Qin and Han Dynasties. Such kind of Li and the value thereof, either called ＂Li Doctrine＂ or ＂Ming Doctrine＂, constitutes the official legitimism of past dynasties. However, such kind of Li is substantially different from the Li advocated by Confucius. Therefore, the instant proposition and the propositions about the Chinese laws being Confucianalized must be treated dialectically with concrete analysis to make clear what is the true Confucianalization and what is the Confucianalization in form. Thus, we will not blame Confucian because of the brutality and rigor in laws.