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Full Idea
It is a first principle of morals, that we ought not to do to another what we should think wrong to be done to us in like circumstances.
Gist of Idea
We shouldn't do to others what would be a wrong to us in similar circumstances
Source
Thomas Reid (Essays on Active Powers 3: Princs of action [1788], 6)
Book Ref
Reid,Thomas: 'Inquiry and Essays', ed/tr. Beanblossom /K.Lehrer [Hackett 1983], p.321
A Reaction
This negative form of the rule is more plausible than the positive form, presumably because there is more consensus about what we all dislike than what we all prefer. But presents for people that they would like, not that you like.
| 23674 | If an attempted poisoning results in benefits, we still judge the agent a poisoner [Reid] |
| 23672 | To be virtuous, we must care about duty [Reid] |
| 23673 | Every worthy man has a principle of honour, and knows what is honourable [Reid] |
| 23675 | We shouldn't do to others what would be a wrong to us in similar circumstances [Reid] |