对奥斯丁法律概念的再认识

The Recognition of Austin's Legal Conception

奥斯丁用"主权者的命令"来解释法律,在学界引发很多争论和误解。其实,这只是一种认识方法,以证成法律的存在方式与作用,并不排斥法律与其他社会要素的联系。事实上,奥斯丁为解决法律与一般功利之间的张力,阐释了主权者与臣民之间的制衡关系,为主权者设定了必要的限制,这在一定程度上消解了其法律概念的社会张力。也正是在这一意义上,梅因和哈特对法律的思考有了进一步的延伸与拓展。所以,在谈到奥斯丁的法律概念时,不能只强调其作为主权者命令的一面,还要看到其为化解法律概念的内在张力而为法律概念所开放的空间。片面强调法律中的单一要素,就会使法律与社会脱节,对法律的这种僵化解释将成为社会实践的阻碍。

＂Command of the sovereign＂is used to interpret the law by Austin,which set off a tremendous amount of controversy and misunderstandings in academic circles. Essentially,it is simply a cognitive method for justifying the existence of the law,rather than to exclude the connection between the law and social elements. In fact,in order to resolve the tension between the law and general utility,Austin explains the relationship with checks and balances between the sovereign and the subject,and imposes indispensable restrictions on the sovereign. To a certain extent,it eliminates the social tension of the legal conception. It is in this sense that Maine and Hart＇s thoughts of law have the further extension and expansion. Therefore,when discussing Austin＇s conception of law,we shall not emphasize the respect of the sovereign＇s command merely,but still realize the open space that Austin adopts to resolve intrinsic tension of the legal conception. One-sided emphasis on the single factor of the law departs it from society,and the rigid interpretation of the law will hinder social practice.