当代自然法中的政治理论——兼驳塔玛纳哈对自然法的批判

Natural Law Politics:A Response to Tamanaha’s Critique of Natural Law Theory

当代自然法的发展不仅在理论层面上再次成为一种有竞争力的学说,而且还在现实的政治和法律实践层面上表现出强大的影响力,因此也引发了与之相对立的其他学说的警惕和批判。针对一种立足实用主义和现实主义的法律理论,当代自然法理论辩护了自然法理论中下述三个基本主张,一是认为自然法理论并不必然以超验存在者的存在为前提,只是自然法的研究可能会导向一种对于超验存在的探究;二是自然法理论并不必然是保守的;三是当代自然法理论的发展强调,调整我们的法律规范,除了某些根植于自然从而隶属于自然法范畴之内的规范之外,大部分实在法都是社会建构的产物,因此,它的整套理论很好地融合了规范中的自然和社会建构这两个要素。

The development of the natural law theory in contemporary world has raised many critiques from other camps,especially the Tamanaha’s critique which is based upon his liberalism and pragmatism.This article shows that his critiques are groundless.Firstly,natural law theory not necessarily presupposes some theological stance.Secondly,natural law theory is not necessarily illiberal,on the contrary,it absorbs many elements and claims of liberalism.Thirdly,natural law theory accepts that some legal norms are the results of social construction.So it claims that there are some basic principles that are rooted in human nature,and should not be considered as constructed or posited,but as“natural”.