A REFLECTION ON THE FOUR BIASES (AKKHAṬI 4) IN THE DHAMMASATTHA AND BUDDHISM WITHIN THE THAI JUDICIARY: FROM PAST TO PRESENT

Abstract

This research examines the influence of the Four Biases—Chanda (desire), Dosa (anger), Moha (delusion), and Bhaya (fear)—as ethical concepts rooted in Buddhism and the Dharmashastrascriptures on the Thai judicial system from the Sukhothai period to the present. These biases have shaped judicial perspectives and practices, serving as a foundational framework guiding judges' conduct in case adjudication, judicial training, and legal interpretation. The study reveals that these principles have persisted and adapted through historical developments, including Western legal modernization, becoming embedded in judicial codes and professional ethics. This enduring influence reflects a fusion of religious, customary, and modern legal thought that underpins the organizational culture and operational norms of Thailand’s judiciary across time.