法律解释何以可能?——法律解释的推论主义说明

What Makes Legal Interpretation Possible? An Inferentialist Account of Legal Interpretation

推论语义学的基本观点是,概念实践是一种给出和索取理由的语言游戏,特定表达的意义在相关推论中得以阐明,掌握一个表达并使之清晰,就是掌握该表达在相关语言游戏中的推论角色。根据这一理论,法律表达的意义也由其在法律实践中的推论角色所决定。作为一种探究法律表达之意义的活动,法律解释既不是对法律文本之先在意义或立法者原意的还原,也不是完全依赖于具体情境的创造,而是一种寻求法律话语之最佳解释的推论过程。最佳解释的正确性取决于解释实践中的推论规则,而这些规则来源于解释实践背后的“相互承认模型”。由此可见,法律解释是一种受规则指引的推论实践,法律规范之意义的客观性决定于这一实践的规范结构。

The basic ideas of inferential semantics are that conceptual practice is a language game of giving and asking for reasons,that the meaning of a particular expression is elucidated in an inference,and that to master an expression so as to make it explicit is to master the inferential role of that expression in the relevant language game.According to this theory,the meaning of legal expressions is decided by the inferential role it plays in legal practice.As an activity of inquiry into the meaning of legal expressions,legal interpretation is neither a tracing back process of the preexisting meaning for legal text or original intention of the legislators,nor a creative activity according to specific context.It is an inferential process seeking the best interpretation of the legal discourse,and the correctness of the best interpretive depends on the inferential rules of the interpretive practice,which derive from “the model of reciprocal recognition” behind the practice of legal interpretation.Therefore,legal interpretation is a practice regulated by rules,and the objectivity of the meaning of legal norms is determined by the normative structure of this practice.