关于中国刑法学理论体系起点问题的思考

科学、理性的理论体系应当是一种体系性、逻辑性思考的结果。在体系性思考中,思考和选择一个恰当的体系起点,是理论体系科学化和理性化的基础性工作。传统的以社会危害性为起点的理论体系已经不能很好地符合中国法治的发展要求和刑法学体系发展的需要,而以刑罚目的为起点的刑法学体系强调刑法的理性运作和规范性特征,其基本逻辑关系表现为:通过证明刑罚目的的正当性和合理性来证明刑罚的正当性和合理性;通过证明刑罚的正当性和合理性来证明规定犯罪的正当性和合理性。在这个逻辑结构中,刑罚目的的选择是刑法学体系的核心。

On Starting Point of Chinese Criminal Law Theory

A scientific and rational theory system shall be the consequence of a systematic and logical thinking. To find an adequate starting point is of significance for establishing this theoretical system. Now, the traditional theory system with social harmfulness as its starting point has difficulties in conforming with the requirements of the development of Chinese criminal law and the criminal law theory. The authors advocate the theoretical system to take the purpose of criminal punishment as its new starting point, because the new point emphasizes the rational operation and normative character of criminal law. In accordance with the new choice, the basic logic within the theory will be that: the legitimacy and rationality of penalty shall be supported by the legitimacy and rationality of its purpose, and the legitimacy and rationality of defining a crime shall be supported by the legitimacy and rationality of criminal punishment. In this logical framework, the selection of purpose of punishment shall be the core of criminal theoretical system.