实用主义的法官法理学*--透视霍姆斯大法官的司法哲学

奥利弗·W.霍姆斯是美国法理学与司法史上的一个里程碑,历经百年,他的司法哲学仍然意义深远地影响着美国的法律思想与司法实践。在霍姆斯的司法哲学理论中,法官的首要职责是遵守代表多数方的立法,即使立法存在缺陷;然而,对立法机构的尊重,并不是因为法院缺乏发现事实的能力,而是法官在裁判时不得依赖个人对事实的认知。在其撰写的司法意见中,霍姆斯为言论自由与结社所做的辩护与其对优势社会力量或立法的尊重之间存在着矛盾。正是古典的司法自制理论与狭义的司法能动主义,共同构成了霍姆斯的实用主义法理学,这是一种美国法律本土背景下的法官法理学。

The Judge’s Jurisprudence under Pragmatism:A Probe into the Judicial Philosophy of Justice Holmes

Oliver W.Holmes is the landmark in American jurisprudence and judicial history whose judi-cial philosophy has significant influence on American legal thoughts and judicial practices since the last centu-ry.According to Holmes’judicial philosophy,the principal duty of the judge is to abide by the legislation on behalf of the majority,even if the legislation is defective.However,to respect the legislation is not because the court lacks the fact -finding ability,but because the judge shall not depend on personal knowledge of facts in making judgment.In Holmes’judicial opinions,some inconsistencies arise between his defense for free speech and association and his respect to social dominant powers or legislations.Both the classical judicial self-restrain theory and the strict judicial activism constitute Holmes’pragmatic jurisprudence,which is one type of judge’s jurisprudence in American indigenous legal context.