“法律解释”的概念厘定

Clarification and Determination of the Concept of Legal Interpretation

在法律解释的概念与性质问题上,法学界已有的研究取得了一些共识,但仍存在许多分歧。为了能给深入研究法律解释的原则、立场与方法提供清晰的概念框架,我们需要进一步厘定法律解释的概念、明确法律解释活动的性质。通过梳理已有的界定方案、总结共识并对其中存在的分歧进行细致分析,可以明确:法律解释是一种自觉活动,它既不是发生在所有的理解过程中,也不是仅发生在语言惯习无法提供明确的意义时,而是发生在自发理解存在问题时;法律解释是一种解疑活动,它仅发生在部分法律适用过程中,解决与法律文本意义相关的疑难;法律解释是一种规范性活动,而不是揭示某种特定意义的描述性活动,易言之,法律解释并不内在地和任何解释立场相关,我们可以通过某种规范性论证来支持或反对某种解释立场,但不能通过概念界定的方式预先规定或排除某种解释立场。

On the issue of the concept and nature of legal interpretation,existing studies have reached some consensus,but there are still many divergences.In order to provide a clear conceptual framework for in-depth research on the principles,positions and methods of legal interpretation,it is necessary to further define the concept of legal interpretation and clarify the nature of legal interpretation activities.By sorting out existing definitions,summarizing consensus,and conducting detailed analysis of divergences,following conclusions can be drawn:(1)Legal interpretation is a conscious activity,which does not occur in all understanding processes,nor only when the language conventions cannot provide clear meaning,but when there are problems in spontaneous understanding.(2)Legal interpretation is a kind of mystery solving activity,which only occurs in the process of some but not all legal application,and solves the problems related to the meaning of legal texts.(3)Legal interpretation is a normative activity,not a descriptive activity to reveal a specific meaning.In other words,legal interpretation is not inherently related to any position of interpretation.We can support or oppose a position of interpretation through normative arguments,but we can’t predetermine or exclude a position through concept definition or clarification.