The Golden Rule: The Ethics of Reciprocity in World Religions (2024)

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The gold­en rule” is preva­lent in every sig­nif­i­cant monothe­is­tic reli­gion and deeply influ­ences many oth­er traditions.

In Judaism, the rule is exem­pli­fied in the bib­li­cal oblig­a­tion to love your neigh­bor,” which was adopt­ed by Rab­bi Hil­lel to mean that which is hate­ful unto you do not unto oth­ers. Jesus inter­pret­ed the rule to mean do unto oth­ers” and brought it to great fame and promi­nence. The book traces the twists and turns of the jour­ney tak­en by the gold­en rule and spot­lights its appear­ance in Greek Altru­ism, Zoroas­tri­an­ism, Islam, Bud­dhism, Hin­duism, and Confucianism.

After read­ing this col­lec­tion, there can be lit­tle doubt that this pow­er­ful rule has had an enor­mous influ­ence in shap­ing reli­gious beliefs through­out the cen­turies and around the world. This study lends cre­dence to the prin­ci­ple that reli­gions have at their core cer­tain over­ar­ch­ing con­cepts that empha­size basic eth­i­cal teach­ings and that instruct believ­ers to act moral­ly and honorably.

Mic­ah D. Halpern is acolum­nist and asocial and polit­i­cal com­men­ta­tor. He is the author of What You Need To Know About: Ter­ror, and main­tains The Mic­ah Report at www​.mic​ah​halpern​.com.

Discussion Questions

The Golden Rule: The Ethics of Reciprocity in World Religions (2024)

FAQs

The Golden Rule: The Ethics of Reciprocity in World Religions? ›

It is sometimes called an ethics of reciprocity, meaning that you should reciprocate to others how you would like them to treat you (not necessarily how they actually treat you). Various expressions of this rule can be found in the tenets of most religions and creeds through the ages.

What is the Golden Rule in religion ethics? ›

Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.” This seems the most familiar version of the golden rule, highlighting its helpful and proactive gold standard.

What does the golden mean is the Ethic of Reciprocity? ›

The Golden Rule, referred to in Philosophy as the Ethic of Reciprocity, is a basic moral principle which states that individuals should treat others in the same manner they wish to be treated.

Why is the Golden Rule so important to all major world religions? ›

It is a unique law because “it expresses a formidable intuition that is accessible to human knowledge and conscience”, in that is part of all the main religions and schools of thought of the world. As a consequence it can also be described as the core of universal ethical codes.

What does the Golden Rule of ethics state? ›

The Golden Rule is often described as 'putting yourself in someone else's shoes', or 'Do unto others as you would have them do unto you'(Baumrin 2004). The viewpoint held in the Golden Rule is noted in all the major world religions and cultures, suggesting that this may be an important moral truth (Cunningham 1998).

What is the Golden Rule ethics quizlet? ›

The Golden Rule. "Do unto others as you would have them do unto you"; an ethical guide that helps us relate to others, and others relate to us. Confucius. "What you do not want done to yourself, do not do to others."

What does the Golden Rule say? ›

Golden Rule, precept in the Gospel of Matthew (7:12): “In everything, do to others what you would have them do to you. . . .” This rule of conduct is a summary of the Christian's duty to his neighbour and states a fundamental ethical principle.

What is the golden rule of reciprocity? ›

The Golden Rule is the principle of treating others as one would want to be treated by them. It is sometimes called an ethics of reciprocity, meaning that you should reciprocate to others how you would like them to treat you (not necessarily how they actually treat you).

What is an example of ethics of reciprocity? ›

“Tit for tat” – The most obvious is the rule that when someone behaves in away toward you, you should respond in kind. This is the core concept of reciprocity in ethical form. If someone treats you well, you should treat them well.

What is the moral lesson of the golden rule? ›

Loving your neighbor as yourself is considered one of the most important of the Ten Commandments, next to loving God, according to Jesus in Matthew 22. The golden rule relates to this commandment, explaining that in all things, loving your neighbor as yourself means to treat them the way you want to be treated.

How does the Golden Rule affect Christians? ›

Through the Golden Rule Christianity also teaches that people should act morally in every aspect of life. With that in mind, not only for the reciprocation of eternal life but because humans should want to carry out good deeds for their own satisfaction in life. As well as to help others.

Why is the Golden Rule beneficial? ›

It helps you establish a standard of behavior and influence others to adhere to that standard in all situations and circ*mstances. This makes decisions about how to treat people in different situations easier. When you always practice the Golden Rule, you always leave the customer feeling heard and validated.

Why has the Golden Rule been adopted by many religions? ›

Some people use the greatest good principle to make ethical decisions because it is a natural way to make such decisions. 3. Why has the golden rule been adopted by many religions? Many religions have adopted the golden rule because it is based on empathy.

What is the golden mean rule in ethics? ›

golden mean, in philosophy, an approach to ethics that emphasizes finding the appropriate medium, or middle ground, between extremes. The phrase golden mean is most frequently applied to the ethical ideas described by the ancient Greek philosopher Aristotle (384–322 bce) in his treatise Nicomachean Ethics.

What are the key values of the Golden Rule? ›

The Golden Rule also emphasizes values of mutuality, interdependence and reciprocity. Given its omnipresence across history, the Golden Rule could be described as a universal ethical principle.

What is the Golden Rule of situation ethics? ›

Situation ethics is linked to both the Golden Rule of Jesus (which outlines that we should 'treat others as we would like to be treated') and the teaching of St. Paul, who clearly outlined in his letter to the Corinthians that love was the most important virtue.

How is the Golden Rule practiced in Christianity? ›

GOLDEN RULE PRACTICES

Most important to Golden Rule Christians is care for relationships, doing good deeds, and looking for opportunities to provide care and comfort for people in need. Their goal is neither changing another's beliefs nor changing the whole political system.

What is the Golden Rule belief system? ›

The Golden Rule, or the ethic of reciprocity, is a common sense moral rule described in the philosophical field of ethics. The rule asks people to treat others as they would wish to be treated.

What is the Golden Rule of the Catholic Church? ›

This Sunday's gospel contains what is perhaps the most well-known moral precept of all time, the “Golden Rule” of ethics: Do to others as you would have them do to you (Lk 6:31). We often think of this as a reminder simply to treat others with kindness.

What is the key to the Golden Rule? ›

"The golden rule is steeped in empathy: the basic premise of do to the other as you want done to you or even what you hope for others is what you hope for yourself," says Ramani Durvasula, a professor of psychology at California State University, Los Angeles.

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