为礼所缚的汉代皇权——有关礼之规范功能的一个考察

在中国古代,礼无疑是一套自洽的规范。法律史学界一般只论及礼对法典的影响,很少探讨礼本身,更缺乏对礼治场景的细节性分析。由于汉朝是儒家占据意识形态统治地位的初始阶段,因此汉朝皇权与礼制的关系是考察这一问题的有效切入点。在汉代,董仲舒"天人三策"之后,儒家思想与皇权的关联性日益强化,学习儒术出身的官员或者说儒吏的数量也不断增加。在这种情况下,皇帝对礼制的守护将博得儒吏群体的忠心和支持,他对礼制的违反则将导致儒吏群体的口诛笔伐。礼的规范功能正是在皇帝与儒吏群体的互动中体现出来的,它所蕴含的独特法律意味也因此获得阐释。

The Power of the Emperor Restricted by the Rites: An Investigation into the Normative Function of the Rites

In the ancient society of China,the rites undoubtedly were a series of integrated norms.There is insufficient analysis of the rites itself.As Confucianism started to be in dominant position in the Han dynasty,it makes sense to explore the relationship between the power of the emperors in Han dynasty and the rites.After the "three respondences of the heaven and human being" of Tung Chung-shu,the relationship between the power of the emperors and the Confucianism became increasingly closer,and the quantity of Confucian ministers,namely the ministers learning the Confucianism,kept on increasing.Under such circumstances,the obedience of the emperor to the rites would win the royalty and sustenance of the Confucian ministers,and the violation by the emperor of the rites may attract the criticism of the Confucian ministers.The normative function of the rites was indeed displayed in the interaction between the emperor and the Confucian ministers.Thereby,the unique legal significance of the rites was also revealed.