权利优先论批判的学理剖析--以自由主义与社群主义之争为对象

A Theoretical Analysis of Critiques on the Priority of Rights Doctrine:Focusing on the Liberalism versus Communitarianism Debate

在权利与善的优先性之争中,自由主义者与社群主义者的论战大致分为两个回合。在此过程中,自由主义的权利优先论从道德形而上学转向政治自由主义,而社群主义者则将其间蕴含的个人主义观念和价值中立原则作为对象分别予以批判,同时反对以权利的普遍性来否定权利的社会性和历史性,这构成其驳斥权利优先于善的学理基础。面对自由主义者与社群主义者之间的激烈争论,有必要指出破解问题的关键在于如何理解优先性,以揭示围绕权利与善何者优先论辩的实质与核心。从本质上说,仅凭在先性、基础性或支配性都不能准确阐明何为优先性。所谓优先性乃是指某种依存关系,这种优先性关系带有鲜明的辩证意味和交互特征,由此出发便可找到优先性确立的正确方式和有效路径。

The debate between communitarians and liberals on the priority of rights versus the priority of the good can be broadly categorized into two rounds.In this process,the liberal argument for the priority of rights has shifted from moral metaphysics to political liberalism.Simultaneously,communitarians criticize the individualistic ideas and the value-neutrality principle inherent in liberalism.They also oppose the denial of the social and historical nature of rights by asserting the universality of rights.This forms the theoretical foundation for their rejection of the priority of rights over the good.Faced with the intense debate between communitarians and liberals,it is crucial to highlight that the key to unraveling the problem lies in understanding the essence and core of the priority.Essentially,relying solely on temporality,fundamentality,or dominance cannot accurately elucidate what priority entails.Priority refers to a certain dependency relationship imbued with distinct dialectical and interactive characteristics.From this perspective,the correct method and effective path for establishing priority can be identified.