边沁证据法学思想的当代解读

Contemporary Intepretation on Benthenis Thoughts on Evidence

边沁的证据法思想建立在功利主义哲学思想的基础之上,认为诉讼法的目的包括直接目的与随附目的,也即司法程序既应当致力于公正地判决,同时也应当尽量减少因程序而产生的拖延、烦扰与浪费。为了准确地认定事实,边沁认为应以自然化的司法证明模式取代技术模式,摆脱形式性规则对证据使用与采纳的束缚,同时还应当确保法官对证明力评价的客观化;为了实现司法证明的随附目的,边沁主张用功利主义的方法避免司法证明的负面价值,发挥证据制度的协调功能。从当代的角度看,边沁的上述观点既有进步意义又有明显的不足,对当代证据制度的完善具有重要的启示作用。

Bentham’s ideology on evidence law is based on the utilitarianism philosophy. He argued that the pursuits of procedure law consists direct ends and collateral ends,which bring us both the proper judgement and the avoidance of unnecessary delay,vexation,and expense. Therefore natural system should substitute technical system,and the formally requirements of evidence should be avoided. At the same time,the objectivity in evidence evaluation should be insured; In order to realize the collateral aim,Bentham alleged utilitarianism method should be used to avoid negative effects and bring harmonizing function into play. All of above points of view prompt a new path of the development of evidence law,and reveal the way for constructing evidence law in modern times.