Research draft

oath

vr.tr.oath · INF.MED

Let an agent explain what an oath is and the kinds that exist, relay the legal effect of oaths and affirmations from statutes and courts, present religious and cultural forms with attribution, and separate oaths from contracts, vows and pledges.

Thing Registry Information and virtual systems

Research draft, second pass

A second pass drafted this model: the structure a model of this thing needs, and what is known about it in the world. The line under this one says how the second half was obtained - researched against sources, or recalled without web access, in which case nothing here was read anywhere and every claim is a lead to verify. Unreviewed either way.

written by Claude from model knowledge without web access - no source was read, every claim is a lead to verify

Researched by: Claude

Purpose and description

A solemn promise or declaration, often invoking a deity, a sacred object or honour as witness, by which a person binds themselves to tell the truth, keep faith or perform a duty; oaths are taken by witnesses, officials, soldiers, professionals and members of orders, and false oaths under law are perjury.

What it is for: Binding a person to truth or duty before witnesses.

It can be explain kinds of oaths and their wording; relay legal effect and the option of affirmation; present religious and historical oaths with attribution; compare oaths with vows, pledges and contracts.

Distinguishing features

Invokes a witness beyond the parties: deity, honour or law

Breaking a legal oath is perjury

Affirmation exists for those who object to swearing

Ceremonial and religious forms vary widely

What it looks like

A spoken or written formula, often with a raised hand, a sacred text or a ceremony.

How it is recognised

A binding formula spoken before a witness or authority

Legal oaths have prescribed wording and an affirmation alternative

A vow is a promise to a deity or oneself; a contract is an agreement between parties

Related models

is a kind of - a solemn form of promise

promise

is confused with - a vow is made to a deity or oneself

vow

is enforced by - false oaths are punished

perjury law

is used in - a major kind

oath of office

In practice

Families and kinds

oaths of office

witness oaths and affirmations in court

military and allegiance oaths

professional oaths such as medical oaths

religious and initiation oaths

historical forms such as feudal and written oaths in Japan

Standards and regulation

Oaths and affirmations acts and court rules

Constitutional and statutory oaths of office

Perjury provisions in criminal law

Professional codes that adopt oaths

Failure modes and hazards

Perjury and false statements

Coerced or invalid oaths

Conflicts between religious objection and required oaths

Misreading a ceremonial oath as a legal contract

Also called

kishōmonNanban seishiword of honourknight's oathTolkedCharaka shapathoath of the Fueros de AragónOath of the Fueros of the Lordship of Vizcayaroyal oathoath of the Fueros of NavarreOath of the Fueros of Valenciavowoath of allegianceloyalty oathVice President Oath of Officebanking oathceremonial oath of the Bundeswehrpauper's oathHittite military oathoath of officeUnbreakable Vowvotumnazrmarriage vowswedding vow renewal ceremonyBaptismal vowsevangelical counselspledge of allegianceOath of AllegianceOath of Allegiance of James I of Englanddeputies oathSwearing-in of the Kings of the BelgiansOath of office (Spain)oath of office (Austria)

Where this came from

wikidata · CC0 1.0

Source repository Registry entry point

Also registered as vr.tr.oath

Drafted structure

Bundle to layer to finding to question, as the second pass will find it: 4 bundles · 8 layers · 8 findings · 16 questions.

Concept What an oath is.

Definition and boundaries.

Definition

Definition.

Definition

Definition.

What makes a statement an oath, and what distinguishes it from a vow, a pledge or a contract? definition
Is the question about a legal oath, a religious oath or a ceremonial formula? boundary

Kinds

Kinds of oath.

Kinds

Kinds.

What kinds of oath exist, and which words and gestures do they use? definition
Which entry fits the specific oath? action

Law Legal effect.

Oaths carry consequences.

Effect

Legal consequences.

Effect

Effect.

What is the legal effect of an oath, and what does perjury law provide? provenance
Is the user asking for advice on their own case, which needs a lawyer? boundary

Affirmation

Alternatives.

Affirmation

Affirmation.

When may a person affirm instead of swear, and what wording is prescribed? provenance
Which statute governs oaths in this jurisdiction? provenance

Practice Ceremony and profession.

Oaths are performed.

Ceremony

Ceremonial oaths.

Ceremony

Ceremony.

How are oaths of office, allegiance and military service administered? provenance
Which entry fits citizenship ceremonies? action

Profession

Professional oaths.

Profession

Profession.

Which professions use oaths, and what do they commit to? provenance
Do professional oaths have legal force? boundary

Culture Religion and history.

Attribution.

Religion

Religious views.

Religion

Religion.

How do religious traditions treat oaths, including objections to swearing, with attribution? provenance
Is the presentation neutral and attributed? boundary

History

Historical oaths.

History

History.

How did oaths function in feudal, guild and treaty contexts across cultures? provenance
Which references are standard? provenance

What the second pass must settle

Should oaths of office be separate entries by country?
How should religious oath traditions be represented with attribution?
The registry entry has merged aliases naming specific historical oaths; should they be split off?

Draft as JSON