刑罚进化论对刑罚制度的线性发展持乐观态度 ,认为越是到现代 ,刑罚越人道和轻缓 ,这种观念影响较大 ,但是很值得质疑。作者通过对近现代刑罚改革思潮进行分析后指出 :所谓的刑罚进化论是不能成立的 ;刑罚的正当性与进化论无关 ,而只与刑事政策的运用 ,以及规范有效性的维持、规范的稳定有联系。坚持刑罚进化论命题 ,在刑事法领域会产生负面效果。一方面 ,刑罚进化论强制人们忍受残酷、多余的刑罚制度 ;另一方面 ,它也会导致阻碍刑罚改革的惰性思维的产生。 The theory of evolution of punishment is optimistic about the linear development of the penalty system. It is believed that the more modern the punishment is, the more humane and gentle the punishment, which has a greater impact but is worth to be questioned. After analyzing the trend of reform in modern criminal penalties, the author points out that the so-called theory of the evolution of penalties can not be established. The legitimacy of penalties has nothing to do with evolutionism, but only with the application of criminal policies and with the maintenance of normative validity and the standardization of stability . Adhering to the proposition of the evolution of punishment will have a negative effect in the field of criminal law. On the one hand, the theory of the evolution of punishment forces people to endure cruel and unnecessary penalties; on the other hand, it also leads to inert thinking that hinders the reform of penalties.