本文企圖以「自律」(autonomy) 為例，比較中西文化傳統之不同。中西對於「 律」各有其不同的看法與歷史源由。就西方而言，無論是古希臘時代或基督教的神學，「律 」是作為處理人際行為的主要標準，法律更重要的意義是「保障」，所以「自律」(自己訂法 律 ) 是自由、自主。 可是就中國人來說，中國處理人際關係的社會標準不是法律與公正， 而是義與禮，宇宙本體是建立於比較廣泛的基礎上的倫理道德，至於法只是補不足，法律不 但含有濃厚的道德意識，也發展出特殊的「親屬相容隱」；法的執行也是嚴酷。這些傳統文 化遺產仍然深刻影響今日東西方社會。

　　　　　This article endeavors to compare the traditional concept of "autonomy "in the East and West. These two cultures have differing ways of looking at and historical origins of "law." To westerners, be it in ancient Greece or within Christian theology, law has been the primary standard in handling human behavior. A more important implication of law has been "to guarantee." Therefore,"autonomy"(law determined by oneself) has meant freedom and independence. However, to the Chinese, the standard in handling behavior has not been law and justice, but rather principle and ceremony. In addition, the Chinese have believed that the universe was based on human ethics. Law was only an effort to make up for the lack of morality by containing a deep sense of moral consciousness and being enforced severely. Unfortunately, it resulted in producing a special tradition of "harboring family members." The legacies of these two traditions have still been greatly influencing their respective societies.