Indic Conceptions of Authority

HINDUISM AND LAW: AN INTRODUCTION, Timothy Lubin, Donald R. Davis, Jr., Jayanth K. Krishnan, eds., pp. 137-153, Cambridge University Press, 2010

47 Pages Posted: 24 Oct 2010 Last revised: 10 May 2011

See all articles by Timothy Lubin

Timothy Lubin

Washington and Lee University; Washington and Lee University - School of Law

Date Written: July 30, 2010

Abstract

This article is examines the ways in which Indic legal traditions conceived of what in the West is called "authority." The materials examined range from scholastic definitions (such as the classical Dharmaśāstra notion of Vedic authority) to formulations more closely attuned to the practice of the law as found in legal formularies and inscriptions. It is suggested that two influential Indic concepts – pramāna and adhikāra – largely cover the same ground as "epistemic authority" and "practical authority" in Euro-American jurisprudence, although in practice pramāna can do double duty, that is, as "proof" and as "authorization."

Keywords: comparative law, authority, India, Hindu Law, Dharmashastra/Dharmasastra, religious law, proof, ordeal, legal history, Asia

JEL Classification: K10

Suggested Citation

Lubin, Timothy, Indic Conceptions of Authority (July 30, 2010). HINDUISM AND LAW: AN INTRODUCTION, Timothy Lubin, Donald R. Davis, Jr., Jayanth K. Krishnan, eds., pp. 137-153, Cambridge University Press, 2010, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=1696089

Timothy Lubin (Contact Author)

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HOME PAGE: http://timothylubin.net/

Washington and Lee University - School of Law ( email )

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United States
540-458-8146 (Phone)
540-458-8498 (Fax)

HOME PAGE: http://law.wlu.edu/faculty/wandl-affiliated-faculty/timothy-lubin

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