Download The Golden Rule

What is the Golden Rule?
The Golden Rule
• What is right is the
kind of behaviour
towards others which
you would not mind
being on the receiving
end of yourself.
• It is based on the
principle of mutual
self-interest
• The Golden Rule is
often thought of as
originating in
Christianity with the
Biblical verse “Do unto
others as you would
have them do unto you”
(Matthew 7:12).
• Actually, some version
of the Golden Rule
exists far prior to
Christianity. It is in
fact a common belief
held in some form by
most world religions
The Golden Rule
• Examples of this can be found in many
religions and philosophies. It can either
be an example of heteronomy or autonomy
depending on the source you are using!
• Most of the major ‘value systems’ seem to
have overlapping ‘core beliefs’ about how
people should behave, despite their
different customs and beliefs.
• One of these is the Golden Rule, which is a
variation on the saying: ‘Treat others as
you wish to be treated’.
• This means that most
societies think that a
good ‘rule of thumb’ is to
think about how you would
like to be treated in a
particular situation, and
use that to inform your
actions towards others.
• It is not a steadfast ‘rule’
that works in all
situations, but a rule that
if applied consistently by
everyone on society
should improve that
society.
Earliest mention
The earliest form of the Golden
Rule in religion dates prior to
Confucianism and Buddhism.
Confucius is attributed with a
statement in the 6th Century
BCE that one should not extend
harm to others which one
would not wish for one’s self.
Buddhism documents also dating
from the 6th century BCE
include the quote “Hurt not
others in ways that you yourself
would find hurtful.”
The Golden Rule may also be
called the ethic of reciprocity.
As such, it generally means one
should behave to others in the
same way one wishes to be
treated.
However, the Golden Rule or
ethic of reciprocity is not a
guarantee that one will get
ideal treatment. Instead it is a
hope that possibly, someday,
each person will treat everyone
else with kindness and will
receive kindness from others
Issues with GR
• “in everything do unto others what you would have
them do unto you,” Matthew 7:12
Consider Pete the pervert who loves groping
strangers and being groped by strangers
If the GR is true/right /good
Commanded by God then
Pete’s act of groping grandma Betty
at Asda was morally right.
Examples
Value System
Christianity
Islam
Buddhism
Humanism
Ancient Greece
Quote
“Do for others what you would want
them to do for you.” (Matt.)
“None of you truly believes until he
wishes for his brother what he wishes
for himself.” (the Hadith)
“Since the self is dear, let him who
desires his own advantage not harm
another”
“Don’t do things to others you wouldn’t
want to have done to you.”
“May I do for others as I would that
they should do unto me.” Plato
• Discuss some of the
problems that exist in
the world today. Write
them down.
Imagine
that you are
Ban Ki-Moon,
Secretary-General of
the United Nations
Using the principle of the
‘Golden Rule’, devise three
simple laws which you will
ask all the World’s
governments to agree to.
Your group must try to
persuade the class why
your laws are important.
Can you make the World a
better place?
You will vote to decide which
laws are the most important.
Do you think it is a good rule to live by?
Give reasons for your answer
Laws
Task 2
• Read pages 23-27
• Answer Questions 1-7