Golden Rule | moral code, universal law, reciprocity (2024)

ethical precept

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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. In its negative form, “Do not do to others what you would not like done to yourselves,” it occurs in the 2nd-century documents Didachē and the Apology of Aristides and may well have formed part of an early catechism. It recalls the command to “love the stranger (sojourner)” as found in Deuteronomy. It is not, however, peculiar to Christianity. Its negative form is to be found in Tob. 4:15, in the writings of the two great Jewish scholars Hillel (1st century bc) and Philo of Alexandria (1st centuries bc and ad), and in the Analects of Confucius (6th and 5th centuries bc). It also appears in one form or another in the writings of Plato, Aristotle, Isocrates, and Seneca.

Golden Rule | moral code, universal law, reciprocity (2024)

FAQs

Golden Rule | moral code, universal law, 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 the golden rule of reciprocity? ›

Try your best to treat others as you would wish to be treated yourself, and you will find that this is the shortest way to benevolence. One should not behave towards others in a way which is disagreeable to oneself. This is the essence of morality.

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.

What is the golden rule universalism? ›

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.

Is the golden rule an example of moral reciprocity? ›

The Golden Rule illustrates the ethical theory of reciprocity. Reciprocity is when two parties each do something that is good for the other party. For example, in world politics, reciprocity is when one country lifts taxes on another country's imports in return for the other country reducing customs restrictions.

What is the universal rule of reciprocity? ›

The Universal Law of Reciprocity ensures that all that is sent out is reciprocated. For humans, we may give more than we receive, or we may take more than we give – in either case, we violate the Law of Reciprocity. And, in either case, we are likely operating from an imbalance of self-worth.

What are the 3 main points for reciprocity? ›

There are three types of reciprocity that are recognized by social psychologists: generalized reciprocity, balanced reciprocity, and negative reciprocity. The type of reciprocity taking place can influence or even define the relationship between the two parties involved.

Is the Ethic of Reciprocity the same as the golden rule? ›

The ethics of reciprocity, known as the “golden rule,” is any moral dictum that encourages people to treat others the way they would like to be treated. The principle exists in the sacred texts of the world's religions as well as the writings of secular philosophers.

What is the golden rule Aristotle? ›

Lesson Summary. The golden mean is a concept put forward by Aristotle that asserts that virtuous moral behavior can be identified as a mean, or middle ground, between two extremes — one of excess and one of deficiency.

What are the principles of reciprocity? ›

The principle of reciprocity involves permitting the application of the legal effects of specific relationships in law when these same effects are accepted equally by foreign countries. In international law, reciprocity means the right to equality and mutual respect between states.

What are the 3 main forms of the Golden Rule? ›

Golden Rules of Accounting
  • 1) Rule One. "Debit what comes in - credit what goes out." This legislation applies to existing accounts. ...
  • 2) Rule Two. "Credit the giver and Debit the Receiver." It is a rule for personal accounts. ...
  • 3) Rule Three. "Credit all income and debit all expenses."

What is the Golden Rule concept? ›

Abstract. The Golden Rule guides people to choose for others what they would choose for themselves. 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).

What is the main problem with the Golden Rule? ›

In his chapter on the Golden Rule, for example, Gensler is quick to note that one of the problems with it is that it does not take into account the fact that people stand in different relations to each other and in different sets of circ*mstances: it does not take it into account that you and I will be in a different ...

What is the principle of reciprocity golden rule? ›

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 reciprocity is it the same as the golden rule? ›

These terms have ethical and economic meanings. The ethics of reciprocity concerns “The Golden Rule”: Do unto others as you would have them do to you. All major religions and philosophies have some articulation or variant of the rule.

What is the law of reciprocity in your life? ›

The Law of Reciprocity simply explained is that when someone does something for you, you feel obligated to reciprocate or do something in return for them. You've likely experienced this in your personal life.

What is the basic principle of reciprocity? ›

The principle of reciprocity involves permitting the application of the legal effects of specific relationships in law when these same effects are accepted equally by foreign countries. In international law, reciprocity means the right to equality and mutual respect between states.

What is the rule of reciprocate? ›

The rule of reciprocation, which states that we should attempt to repay in kind what another person has given us, is the most compelling weapon of influence that humanity possess.

What is the rule of reciprocity and why is it so powerful? ›

The Law of Reciprocity, described by “Godfather of Influence” Robert Cialdini in his book Influence, is the human tendency to feel obligated to do something in return when someone does something for you first. In other words, it's human nature to feel obligated to reciprocate when someone does something for you.

Is the ethic of reciprocity the same as the golden rule? ›

The ethics of reciprocity, known as the “golden rule,” is any moral dictum that encourages people to treat others the way they would like to be treated. The principle exists in the sacred texts of the world's religions as well as the writings of secular philosophers.

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