中国传统法治观的流变与重塑

Chinese Traditional View of Legal Concept and Its Evolution and Re-construction

在中国传统礼治秩序中,社会地位与社会关系总是处于优先地位,显然不利于实现社会公正;法家注重客观性,避免主观随意性,故更具合理性。然而,随着汉代以来的礼法合流,法家控制社会、民众的技术性的一面得到强化,而法家的"真精神"则被长期遮蔽。这主要表现在:其一,在礼治秩序中,法的客观性逐渐为人之主观性所吞噬,由此形成"人情即法"的传统;其二,原本在法家那里具有一定平等精神的"法"蜕变为维护尊卑等级的工具;其三,权利与义务的分离,即一部分人尽情享受着"没有义务的权利",而另一部分人则被迫履行着"没有权利的义务"。历史警示我们,治理国家不能对人性存有丝毫的侥幸,底线和标准只能有一个,那就是对"规则"的共同恪守与尊重,这应是先秦法家留给我们的最大财富和启示。在当下,只有秉承理性精神,并实现从关系型社会向契约型社会、从国家本位到个体本位、从权力至上到法律至上的转变,才能真正从人治走向法治。

Social status and social relationship are given priority in a traditional social system which was governed by ethics,and that goes against the realization of social justice;by contrast,the Legalists are more rational because they think highly of objectivity and avoid subjectivity.However,with the interflow of both thoughts since Han Dynasty,the technical side of the Legalists overwhelmed its＂true spirit＂.This mainly shows：firstly,subjectivity gradually weakened objectivity in an ethics system and formed a tradition in which relationships are critical;secondly,the concept＂Law＂by Legalists degenerated into a tool for maintaining hierarchy;thirdly,the separation between right and duty,namely the situation in which some fully enjoy ＂the right without duty＂,while the other carry out＂obligations＂without having the corresponding right.We have learned from history that we should not take a chance with humanity in governance and should hold the single base line and standard,in which＂regulations＂should be kept and respected.In today＇s Chinese mainland,only that we hold a rational spirit and convert from a relationship society into a contract society,from country-oriented into individual-oriented,from power paramountcy into law paramountcy,could we succeed in transforming from governance by people to one that by law.