在风险社会中看合法性问题

Examining the Legality in a Risky Society

在政治学乃至整个社会科学研究的叙事中,“合法性”概念出现的频率都是较高的,人们往往在极其普遍的意义上使用这个概念。只有当一个社会拥有了法的精神,合法性才是一个有用的概念。是因为政治以及全部社会治理实践的法治化提出了合法性要求,才有了合法性概念。比较而言,“正当性”要比合法性的概念更具有广泛的适应性。合理性也是一个现代性概念,但它主要是指形式合理性。风险社会中的行为、行动等也需要接受合理性评判,但要时时提防落入形式合理性的陷阱。在风险社会及其高度复杂性和高度不确定性条件下,合理性将不再表现为形式合理性和实质合理性,而是被经验理性所置换。同时,正当性与合理性也将统一到“合道德性”之中。

In the narrative of political science and even the whole field of social science,the concept of legality appears frequently,mostly in an extremely general sense.In fact,legality is a useful concept only when a society embraces the spirit of law.It is the legalization of politics and all practices of social governance that puts forward the requirements of legality.In comparison,the concept of legitimacy rather than legality has extensive adaptability.Rationality is also a modern concept,and it mainly refers to formal rationality.Behaviors and actions in a risky society need to be judged by rationality,yet the trap of formal rationality should always be avoided.In a complex,uncertain,and risky society,rationality is no longer expressed as formal or substantive rationality,but is replaced by practical rationality.At the same time,legitimacy and rationality are incorporated into morality.