自然法理念与西方立宪主义

自然法理念,作为西方法律思想史上最为源远流长的意识形式与思想方法,在最为重要的方面孕育和催生了近代西方的立宪主义,因此在宪法思想史上占有重要的地位.自然法在柏拉图那里带有古代专制主义的倾向,亚里士多德可以用自然法来论证奴隶制的正当性,西塞罗则依据自然法宣称普遍的人人平等,阿奎那的神学自然法被当作教会进行其与世俗权力斗争的工具,霍布斯依据自然法来为专制王权辩护,而洛克之反对专制、崇尚自然权利与自由也是以自然法为犀利武器的.文章试图以自然法的历史发展为脉络,阐述其在不同发展阶段的思想变迁,以及对近代西方立宪主义的影响.

The Philosophy of Natural Law and Western Constitutionalism

The philosophy of natural law,as the most ancient ideological form and thinking approach in the history of Western legislation,delivered the Western constitutionalism.Therefore,it is of great significance.Plato's natural law has the orientation of ancient absolutism,so Aristotle took it as evidence proving the justice of slavery.The paper,following the developing history of natural law,tries explaining its changes at different stages,and its effect on Western constitutionalism.