During many occasions in ones life, we have heard the infamous phrase;
'DO UNTO OTHERS AS YOU WOULD HAVE THEM DO UNTO YOU.' -Jesus c.3o AD
Phrases such as this one, which we have heard time and time again, eventually begin to loose their meaning. But what does the Golden Rule actually mean? Reading this article made me realize that the way people perceive things does in fact change the meaning and context of whatever it is that they are analyzing. For example, The reading goes on to tell us how when one looks at the golden rule too specifically it can in fact change the meaning of the phrase in whole. What one person can consider respect, kindness, and understanding can be completely different from the perception that someone else has on these things.
The difference between right & wrong can be completely different to every single individual. As the book commented, it is better to look at the Golden Rule as a form of fairness and consistency with the way you treat people, rather than to try to look at it too specifically and not understand the universal meaning behind the idea of The Golden Rule. For instance, if a murderer decides to look at the idea of the Golden Rule too literally, He must expect to at one point also be in jeopardy of being the one on the other end of the murder. For this reason, the Golden Rule must not be looked at as a sort of literal concept but more of an idea used to regulate morals and ethics of individuals.
However, when thinking about the other side to this coin we can figure that many people do express acts of kindness in hope that they will in return be treated with the same respect. So we ask ourselves? At one point should the Golden Rule stop being a universal rule? and start being literal?
"WHAT YOU DO NOT WISH FOR YOURSELF, DO NOT DO TO OTHERS... AS YOU YOURSELF DESIRE STANDING, THEN HELP OTHERS ACHIEVE IT; AS YOU YOURSELF DESIRE SUCCESS, THEN HELP OTHERS ATTAIN IT." -CONFUCIUS, c. 5oo BC
I think the Golden Rule is a very useful ethical tool. It does tend to break down when examined too closely. For instance some people may find the feeling of pain to be enjoyable or arousing and so using the Golden Rule they would inflict pain on others. I agree that it is better to take the spirit of the Golden Rule rather than its literal meaning. It is a fine basis for ethics or for morality and has been found in many cultures.
ReplyDelete-Caleb Walker
I completely agree with the books defintion of the golden rule, because if we take it too literal and figure if someone were to murder our family member it is okay to murder one of theirs. When I think of the golden rule I think of it as more of a way of life. Most people have a good idea what the difference between right and wrong is, so telling someone to treat others as they would like to be treated is not always the best example of the golden rule. Some individuals do not care how others treat them so telling someone to treat them as they would like to be treated does not always cut it. I think a better statement would be to treat others as they would like to be treated.
ReplyDelete-Michellana Adair
I never really looked at the golden rule this way. I found it really interesting how some people follow the golden rule because they expect to be on the receiving end of it and get something from someone else one day. The golden rule in my opinion is saying just treat others as you would like them to treat you even if you are not on the receiving end of the deal all the time. However, I do believe that the murder's train of thought and wondering if someone would come and murder him is something that he or she should definitely worry about.
ReplyDelete