西方自然法思想的两种传统

自然法是西方历史上一个极为关键的概念,但是讽刺的是,并不存在一个统一连贯并得到广泛认同的自然法定义。在自然法思想发展过程中呈现出两条根本不同的进路,即古代自然法与近代自然法。自然法思想两条不同进路的差异表现在:从自然法的特性方面看是神圣性与世俗性的不同;在自然法的基点上自然理性与自然状态的区隔;自然法的内容区别则体现在自然义务与自然权利。

On the Two Kinds of Tradition in Western Natural Law Theory

The natural law is a very important concept in western history, but ironically, there does not exist a coherent and widely - accepted definition of natural law. We can find two different paths of natural law thinking - ancient and modern from numerous concepts of the natural law after pondering over two thousand years history of natural law theory. The differences between two natural law theories have three main parts. First, there exists the difference between the divine and the secular on characteristics of natural law. Second, natural reason and nature state are two different basis of natural law. Third, in the content of natural law, the differences are embodied in natural obligation or natural right.