一、因果关系的概念

刑法规定的危害行为与危害结果之间引起与被引起的关系。

二、因果关系的特征

1．客观性。

2.相对性。

3.顺序性。原因必定在前，结果必定在后。

4.复杂性。

5.条件性。

6.内容的法定性。

三、刑法上的因果关系的性质

A.Two aspects of causation: “Causation”in criminal law relates to the link between the act and the harmfulresult. The prosecution must show that the defendant’s actus reus “caused” theharmful result, in two different senses: (1) that the act was the“cause in fact” of the harm; and (2) that the act was the “proximate”cause (or the “legal” cause) of the harm. [44]

II.CAUSE IN FACT

A.Two ways: There are twoways in which an act can be the “cause in fact” of harm: (1) by being the “butfor” cause of the harm; and (2) by being a “substantial factor”in creating the harm. These categories overlap, but not completely.

B.The “but for” rule: Mostoften, the act will be the “cause in fact” of the harm by being the “butfor” cause of that harm. To put the idea negatively, if the result wouldhave happened anyway, even had the act not occurred, the act is nota cause in fact of that result.

四、刑法上的因果关系的形式

1．简单的因果关系

一个危害行为直接而合乎规律地引起一个或几个危害结果的发生。

2.复杂的因果关系

两个或两个以上的危害行为共同作用或先后衔接，产生了一个或几个危害结果。（1）先后连接的因果关系。（2）共同作用的因果关系。

Conspiracy: Theabove discussion of the “substantial factor” rule assumes that the twoconcurring acts occurred independently of each other. If the twooccurred as part of a joint enterprise, such as a conspiracy,the act of each person will be attributed to the other, and there will be noneed to determine whether each act was a substantial factor in leading to theharm.

3.中断的因果关系

某种行为引起或正在引起某种危害结果，在因果关系发展过程中，介入了另一原因，从而切断了原来的因果关系，行为人只对另一原因介入前的现实情况负责，介入后的行为引起了最后的结果，与前行为没有因果关系。

a. Intervening act shortens V’s life: Where the first person to do harm is charged, anddefends on the grounds that the second person’s intervening act should relieve himof liability, it’s a closer question, but many courts will find the firstperson to be guilty here as well

思考题：（1）如何理解“无行为则无犯罪”？（2）哪些结果对定罪有意义？哪些结果对量刑有意义？

参考书。1．马克昌主编：《犯罪通论》中有关客观方面的章节，武汉大学出

小结作为与不作为的认定

反思因果关系到底在认定犯罪中的作用