普通法系程序观念探源

英美法系有着源远流长的正当程序观念。一方面，实体结果公正必须经由公正程序获得，程序的公正决定了实体的公正；另一方面，司法程序并不是追求绝对的真理或正确，承认经由公正程序产生的实体结果并不一定总是正确，宁可牺牲个案的正义以维护整体的制度性正义。英美程序观念在哲学思想上受到实证主义、实用主义和功利主义影响，相信科学方法的力量，强调程序的工具理性，排斥唯理主义的绝对真理观。我国并无经验主义和实证主义传统，司法领域坚持客观真理观，主张不拘泥于固定方法，通过更加灵活的方式追求司法实质正义。

On the Philosophical Origin of the Procedural Concept of the Common Law System

The concept of due process has a long history in the common law system in Britain and the United States. On the one hand, the substantive justice must be obtained through the fair procedure, and the procedural justice determines the substantive justice; on the other hand, objective truth or absolute correctness is not the purpose of the judicial system, and substantive justice through due procedure is not always absolutely correct. The substantive justice of the individual case could be sacrificed in order to maintain the whole institutional justice. Philosophically, the concept of due process in Britain and the United States is under the influence of positivism, pragmatism and utilitarianism, follows scientific methods, emphasizes the instrumental rationality of procedures, and rejects the view of absolute truth of rationalism. China has not much tradition of empiricism and positivism. China''s traditional judicial system adheres to the idea of objective truth and advocates pursuing judicial substantive justice through more flexible methods. China''s judicial concept is not lagging behind that of the West, and it is necessary to learn from each other.