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8th-Century 'Mimamsa-Pramada' Copper Plates in Vidarbha Detail Early Ethics of Epistemic Responsibility

📅 April 9, 2026 📰 Indic Studies Quarterly
8th-Century 'Mimamsa-Pramada' Copper Plates in Vidarbha Detail Early Ethics of Epistemic Responsibility

Recently unearthed copper plates from the Vidarbha region of Maharashtra contain a treatise called the 'Mimamsa-Pramada'. Dated to the late 8th century, these plates outline a rigorous philosophy of epistemic responsibility, focusing on the moral consequences of holding false beliefs or spreading unverified testimonies.

The text argues that the pursuit of Rta (cosmic order) is impossible without 'intellectual hygiene'. It provides specific guidelines for Vedic scholars on how to cross-examine their own biases, offering a surprisingly modern look at the ethics of knowledge and social communication.

Original source: Indic Studies Quarterly