摘要： 中国古代死刑制度的发达依赖于中国古代独特的死刑观念。性善论基础上的教化主义死刑观、性恶论基础上的威慑主义死刑观与性有善有恶论基础上的预防主义死刑观，充分呈现出中国古代死刑观与人性观之间的内在关系。由于注重情性而忽视知性的经验主义倾向，中国古代的死刑观夹杂于理想主义与工具主义之间，呈现出一种独特的面貌。

关键词: 中国古代死刑观, 死刑的人性基础, 性善, 性恶

Abstract: The well-developed system of capital punishment depends on some particular concepts of death penalty in ancient China. The concept of death penalty in pursuit of enlightenment by education founded on the theory of Good Human Nature, deterrence on Evil Human Nature, and prevention on Good and Evil Mixed Human Nature entirely show that there is an intrinsic relationship between the concept of death penalty and the theory of human nature ．As a result of empiricist tendency to pay attention to temperament and ignore intellectuality, the concept of ancient Chinese death penalty reflects a unique look entangled in the mire of idealism and instrumentalism.

Key words: Ancient Chinese Concepts of Death Penalty, Death Penalty&rsquo, s Human Nature Basis, Good Hu-man Nature, Evil Human Nature