道德性:法律的人性之维——兼论法与道德的关系

On the Relation of Law and Morality

法是人类社会特有的一种社会现象,所以对法的研究最终不可能不追寻到人的本性。但能作为法律基础的人的本性只是道德性,道德的最高境界是正义,它是一种理想的人际关系和社会制度,在其中人人受到尊重和关爱,人人各尽其能,各得其所。人的行为它必须借助于法律这样的公共权力使一个社会人们的行为保持道德性的一种制度安排。因此,道德性是法律的人性基础,是制定和实施法律的出发点和归宿点。

Law is a peculiar social phenomenon of human society. The study of law is eventually connected with human nature. As human nature is multidimensional, not all of the properties of human being can be the basis of law. The only property that can be the basis of law is morality. The supreme realm of morality is justice, which is an ideal personal relation and social system. The behavior of man is not naturally moral. In order to reach the moral accomplishment, men have to borrow the aid of the force and authority of public power. Law is an institutional arrangement, which keeps the behavior of man in conform to morality demands. So morality is the human natural basis of law, the starting point and destination of law stipulation and implementation.