Single Idea 7360

[catalogued under 23. Ethics / B. Contract Ethics / 2. Golden Rule]

Full Idea

Do not do to others what you would not desire yourself. Then you will have no enemies, either in the state or in your home.

Gist of Idea

Do not do to others what you would not desire yourself

Source

Kongzi (Confucius) (The Analects (Lunyu) [c.511 BCE], XII.2)

Book Reference

Confucius: 'The Sayings of Confucius', ed/tr. Ware,James R. [Mentor 1955], p.76


A Reaction

The Golden Rule, but note the second sentence. Logically, it leads to the absurdity of not giving someone an Elvis record for Christmas because you yourself don't like Elvis. Kant (Idea 3733) and Nietzsche (Idea 4560) offer good criticisms.

Related Ideas

Idea 3733 The 'golden rule' cannot be a universal law as it implies no duties [Kant]

Idea 4560 The Golden Rule prohibits harmful actions, with the premise that actions will be requited [Nietzsche]