Evolution of the Concept of Judges in Philosophical Argumentation and Judicial Contexts

Abstract

This study examines the role, qualities, and actions of judges in philosophical argumentation and judicial contexts, based on classical Indian philosophical texts and Dharma literature. Section 2 organizes terminologies and concepts describing debate settings in ancient India, drawing from early Nyāya and Buddhist logical texts and the Dharmasūtras. Sections 3 and 4 focus on the concepts of the “inquirer”（prāśnika）and the “four-element”（caturaṅga）found in Buddhist and Jain texts, analyzing the position of judges in philosophical argumentation. Section 5 explores terms related to assemblies or courts（sabhā ）as they appear in both philosophical and Dharma texts. Section 6 addresses the norms concerning the qualities and actions of judges in philosophical argumentation and their connection to Dharma literature. Through this analysis, this study aims to demonstrate shifts in the concept of judges from the sectarian and cultural perspectives, highlighting the usefulness of comparing these textual traditions to understand the framework of philosophical discourse in classical India.