浅析儒家思想对中国古代刑法制度的影响

A Brief Analysis of the Influence of Confucianism on the Ancient Chinese Criminal Law System

摘要: 从刑法的历史发展来看，以“德主刑辅”为核心的儒家思想对中国古代刑法的形成与发展产生了十分深远的影响。由儒家思想中的德治思想和礼治思想等延伸出来的重视道德教化、先礼后刑、重礼轻刑、礼刑并用、慎刑恤刑等一系列刑法思想，不仅对中国古代刑法的立法与司法产生了深远影响，而且对于构建当代中国和谐刑法仍具有重要的现实意义。

Abstract: From the perspective of the historical development of criminal law, Confucianism centered around the principle of “virtue as the core and punishment as the auxiliary” has exerted profound influence on the formation and evolution of ancient Chinese criminal law. Emerging from Confucian ideals of ethical governance and rule by ritual, a series of criminal law concepts emphasizing moral education, sequencing rituals before punishments, prioritizing rituals over penalties, integrating rituals and punishments, as well as exercising caution and empathy in punishments, have been derived. These concepts have not only deeply impacted the legislation and judiciary of ancient Chinese criminal law, but also possessed significant contemporary relevance in the construction of a harmonious criminal legal system in modern China.