Difference between revisions of "Oath"

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==Etymology==
 
==Etymology==
 
[https://nordan.daynal.org/wiki/index.php?title=English#ca._1100-1500_.09THE_MIDDLE_ENGLISH_PERIOD Middle English] ooth, from [https://nordan.daynal.org/wiki/index.php?title=English#ca._600-1100.09THE_OLD_ENGLISH.2C_OR_ANGLO-SAXON_PERIOD Old English] āth; akin to Old High German eid oath, Middle Irish oeth. The spec. sense in Germanic and Celtic may perhaps have arisen from the walk of the oath-taker to the place of oath-taking being seen as part of the solemn [[ceremony]]
 
[https://nordan.daynal.org/wiki/index.php?title=English#ca._1100-1500_.09THE_MIDDLE_ENGLISH_PERIOD Middle English] ooth, from [https://nordan.daynal.org/wiki/index.php?title=English#ca._600-1100.09THE_OLD_ENGLISH.2C_OR_ANGLO-SAXON_PERIOD Old English] āth; akin to Old High German eid oath, Middle Irish oeth. The spec. sense in Germanic and Celtic may perhaps have arisen from the walk of the oath-taker to the place of oath-taking being seen as part of the solemn [[ceremony]]
*Date: before [http://www.wikipedia.org/wiki/11th_Century 12th century]
+
*Date: before [https://www.wikipedia.org/wiki/11th_Century 12th century]
 
==Definitions==
 
==Definitions==
 
*1 a (1) : a solemn usually [[formal]] calling upon [[God]] or a god to [[witness]] to the [[truth]] of what one says or to witness that one [[sincerely]] [[intends]] to do what one says (2) : a solemn attestation of the [[truth]] or inviolability of one's [[words]]  
 
*1 a (1) : a solemn usually [[formal]] calling upon [[God]] or a god to [[witness]] to the [[truth]] of what one says or to witness that one [[sincerely]] [[intends]] to do what one says (2) : a solemn attestation of the [[truth]] or inviolability of one's [[words]]  
 
:b : something (as a [[promise]]) corroborated by an oath
 
:b : something (as a [[promise]]) corroborated by an oath
 
==Description==
 
==Description==
An '''oath''' (from [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Old_English Anglo-Saxon] āð, also called plight) is either a [[statement]] of [[fact]] or a [[promise]] calling upon something or someone that the oath maker considers [[sacred]], usually God, as a witness to the binding [[nature]] of the promise or the [[truth]] of the [[statement]] of [[fact]]. To swear is to take an oath, to make a solemn vow.
+
An '''oath''' (from [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Old_English Anglo-Saxon] āð, also called plight) is either a [[statement]] of [[fact]] or a [[promise]] calling upon something or someone that the oath maker considers [[sacred]], usually God, as a witness to the binding [[nature]] of the promise or the [[truth]] of the [[statement]] of [[fact]]. To swear is to take an oath, to make a solemn vow.
  
 
The [[essence]] of a [[divine]] oath is an invocation of [[divine]] [[agency]] to be a guarantor of the oath taker's own [[honesty]] and [[integrity]] in the matter under question. By implication, this invokes divine displeasure if the oath taker fails in their sworn [[duties]]. It therefore implies greater care than usual in the [[act]] of the [[performance]] of one's duty, such as in [[testimony]] to the [[facts]] of the [[matter]] in a [[court]] of [[law]].
 
The [[essence]] of a [[divine]] oath is an invocation of [[divine]] [[agency]] to be a guarantor of the oath taker's own [[honesty]] and [[integrity]] in the matter under question. By implication, this invokes divine displeasure if the oath taker fails in their sworn [[duties]]. It therefore implies greater care than usual in the [[act]] of the [[performance]] of one's duty, such as in [[testimony]] to the [[facts]] of the [[matter]] in a [[court]] of [[law]].
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A [[person]] taking an oath indicates this in a [[number]] of ways. The most usual is the explicit "I swear," but any [[statement]] or [[promise]] that includes "with * as my witness" or "so help me *," with '*' being something or someone the oath-taker holds [[sacred]], is an oath. Many people take an oath by holding in their hand or placing over their head a [[book]] of [[scripture]] or a sacred object, thus indicating the sacred [[witness]] through their [[action]]: such an oath is called corporal. However, the chief [[purpose]] of such an [[act]] is for [[ceremony]] or solemnity, and the act does not of itself make an oath.
 
A [[person]] taking an oath indicates this in a [[number]] of ways. The most usual is the explicit "I swear," but any [[statement]] or [[promise]] that includes "with * as my witness" or "so help me *," with '*' being something or someone the oath-taker holds [[sacred]], is an oath. Many people take an oath by holding in their hand or placing over their head a [[book]] of [[scripture]] or a sacred object, thus indicating the sacred [[witness]] through their [[action]]: such an oath is called corporal. However, the chief [[purpose]] of such an [[act]] is for [[ceremony]] or solemnity, and the act does not of itself make an oath.
  
In Western countries it is [[custom]]ary to raise the '''right hand''' while swearing an oath, whether or not the left hand is laid on a [[Bible]] or other [[text]]. This custom [[originated]] during the [http://www.wikipedia.org/wiki/Middle_Ages Medieval period] when [[convicted]] felons were often branded on the palm of the right hand with a [[letter]] or mark indicating their conviction. Since felons were disqualified from making declarations under oath, an oath-taker would display their right hand to show that they were free of [[convictions]] and therefore able take an oath.
+
In Western countries it is [[custom]]ary to raise the '''right hand''' while swearing an oath, whether or not the left hand is laid on a [[Bible]] or other [[text]]. This custom [[originated]] during the [https://www.wikipedia.org/wiki/Middle_Ages Medieval period] when [[convicted]] felons were often branded on the palm of the right hand with a [[letter]] or mark indicating their conviction. Since felons were disqualified from making declarations under oath, an oath-taker would display their right hand to show that they were free of [[convictions]] and therefore able take an oath.
  
There is [[confusion]] between oaths and other [[statements]] or [[promises]]. The current [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Olympic_Oath Olympic Oath], for instance, is really a pledge and not properly an oath since there is only a "[[promise]]" and no appeal to a [[sacred]] [[witness]]. Oaths are also confused with vows, but really a [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vow vow] is a special kind of oath.
+
There is [[confusion]] between oaths and other [[statements]] or [[promises]]. The current [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Olympic_Oath Olympic Oath], for instance, is really a pledge and not properly an oath since there is only a "[[promise]]" and no appeal to a [[sacred]] [[witness]]. Oaths are also confused with vows, but really a [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vow vow] is a special kind of oath.
  
In [[law]], oaths are made by a [[witness]] to a [[court]] of [[law]] before giving [[testimony]] and usually by a newly-appointed [[government]] officer to the people of a [[state]] before taking office. In both of those cases, though, an affirmation can be usually substituted. A written statement, if the [[author]] swears the [[statement]] is the [[truth]], the whole truth, and nothing but the truth, is called an affidavit. The oath given to [[support]] an affidavit is frequently administered by a [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Notary_public notary public] who will memorialize the giving of the oath by affixing her or his seal to the [[document]]. Breaking an oath (or affirmation) is [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Perjury perjury].[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oath]
+
In [[law]], oaths are made by a [[witness]] to a [[court]] of [[law]] before giving [[testimony]] and usually by a newly-appointed [[government]] officer to the people of a [[state]] before taking office. In both of those cases, though, an affirmation can be usually substituted. A written statement, if the [[author]] swears the [[statement]] is the [[truth]], the whole truth, and nothing but the truth, is called an affidavit. The oath given to [[support]] an affidavit is frequently administered by a [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Notary_public notary public] who will memorialize the giving of the oath by affixing her or his seal to the [[document]]. Breaking an oath (or affirmation) is [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Perjury perjury].[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oath]
  
 
[[Category: Anthropology]]
 
[[Category: Anthropology]]

Latest revision as of 01:27, 13 December 2020

Lighterstill.jpg

Hippocratic oath.jpg

Etymology

Middle English ooth, from Old English āth; akin to Old High German eid oath, Middle Irish oeth. The spec. sense in Germanic and Celtic may perhaps have arisen from the walk of the oath-taker to the place of oath-taking being seen as part of the solemn ceremony

Definitions

  • 1 a (1) : a solemn usually formal calling upon God or a god to witness to the truth of what one says or to witness that one sincerely intends to do what one says (2) : a solemn attestation of the truth or inviolability of one's words
b : something (as a promise) corroborated by an oath

Description

An oath (from Anglo-Saxon āð, also called plight) is either a statement of fact or a promise calling upon something or someone that the oath maker considers sacred, usually God, as a witness to the binding nature of the promise or the truth of the statement of fact. To swear is to take an oath, to make a solemn vow.

The essence of a divine oath is an invocation of divine agency to be a guarantor of the oath taker's own honesty and integrity in the matter under question. By implication, this invokes divine displeasure if the oath taker fails in their sworn duties. It therefore implies greater care than usual in the act of the performance of one's duty, such as in testimony to the facts of the matter in a court of law.

A person taking an oath indicates this in a number of ways. The most usual is the explicit "I swear," but any statement or promise that includes "with * as my witness" or "so help me *," with '*' being something or someone the oath-taker holds sacred, is an oath. Many people take an oath by holding in their hand or placing over their head a book of scripture or a sacred object, thus indicating the sacred witness through their action: such an oath is called corporal. However, the chief purpose of such an act is for ceremony or solemnity, and the act does not of itself make an oath.

In Western countries it is customary to raise the right hand while swearing an oath, whether or not the left hand is laid on a Bible or other text. This custom originated during the Medieval period when convicted felons were often branded on the palm of the right hand with a letter or mark indicating their conviction. Since felons were disqualified from making declarations under oath, an oath-taker would display their right hand to show that they were free of convictions and therefore able take an oath.

There is confusion between oaths and other statements or promises. The current Olympic Oath, for instance, is really a pledge and not properly an oath since there is only a "promise" and no appeal to a sacred witness. Oaths are also confused with vows, but really a vow is a special kind of oath.

In law, oaths are made by a witness to a court of law before giving testimony and usually by a newly-appointed government officer to the people of a state before taking office. In both of those cases, though, an affirmation can be usually substituted. A written statement, if the author swears the statement is the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth, is called an affidavit. The oath given to support an affidavit is frequently administered by a notary public who will memorialize the giving of the oath by affixing her or his seal to the document. Breaking an oath (or affirmation) is perjury.[1]