Question

Which of the following is/are Louis Dumont’s formulation(s)?

• A. Indian sociology must lie at the confluence of Indology and anthropology.
• B. The ideological principle that religion is always superior to power is at all times found exhibited at the empirical level in India.
• C. Equality runs contrary to the general tendencies of societies.
• D. Traditional Indian ideology allows only ‘surreptitious’ entry of economic and political power.

Hint:

Louis Dumont is best known for contrasting hierarchy and holism with modern ideas of equality and individualism.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is A, C, D

Step 1: Understanding Louis Dumont’s theoretical framework.
Louis Dumont’s work focused on hierarchy, holism, and ideology in Indian society, particularly as opposed to modern egalitarian individualism.
Step 2: Explanation of correct statements.
Option (A): Dumont argued that Indian sociology must combine Indology and anthropology to properly understand Indian social structures and values.
Option (C): Dumont maintained that equality is not a universal social principle and runs counter to the hierarchical tendencies present in most societies.
Option (D): According to Dumont, traditional Indian ideology permits economic and political power only indirectly or ‘surreptitiously’, while ritual hierarchy remains dominant.
Step 3: Elimination of incorrect option.
Option (B): Dumont acknowledged a distinction between ideology and empirical reality. He did not claim that the ideological superiority of religion is always empirically visible.
Step 4: Conclusion.
Hence, statements (A), (C), and (D) correctly represent Louis Dumont’s formulations.