中国古代的“权力”理念——兼论中国古代社会的政体与法律

中国传统社会的制度、价值观与西方确实有着诸多的不同。中国传统法律文化将＂权力＂视为治国工具,而西方先人一开始就对权力充满戒心。本文分析了孟德斯鸠、魁奈等西方启蒙思想家和梁启超等对古代中国政体的认识,并引申出一个问题,即如何定义中国古代社会的性质。中西不同的权力理念源于对人性认识的差异。先秦儒家认为＂人性善＂,对贤人始终寄予希望;先秦法家则认为＂人性恶＂,主张利用＂人性＂,加强君主的权力。西方先哲亚里士多德则坚持以法治限制人性,制约权力。中国古代社会的政权是一个畏惧、荣誉、品德兼而有之的＂混合政体＂,中国的＂传统法＂是＂礼与法＂的共同体。

The Idea of Power in Ancient China

Chinese traditional social system and values are different from western countries. In Chinese traditional legal culture, people regard "Power" as an instrument of administering a country. But Westerners are wary of power from the beginning. This article analyzes Montesquieu, Quesney and Liang Ch’ich’ao’s viewpoints towards the system of government of Ancient China, and it also invites a question: how can we define the nature of Chinese ancient society. The different ideas of power between Chinese and Westerners derive from the different cognitions of human nature. The Confucians believe "human nature is kind-hearted", and they place hope on sages. The Legalists believe "human nature is evil" and Monarchs should strengthen their power by taking advantage of it. Aristotle believes that in order to restrict power, human nature should be limited by rule of law. The regime of Chinese ancient society is mixed with fear, honour and morality. Chinese "traditional law" is a community of "propriety and law".