The Golden Rule - Treat others as you want to be treated?

Question

Don't you think we are living in a better world if everyone applies the Golden Rule?

Answer 1

Hey Arnold,

Yes. You want people to respect you, and they want to be respected. Just because you disagree is no reason to not respect eachother. This is the KEY to getting along at an individual level, then a social level, then a community level, and then globally.

You cannot communicate with someone completely until you first decide that you will listen to their words, as you would want them to listen to what you have to say. And, I will go you one better, if you are the first to listen the best, the other people will more probably listen to you.

No question in my mind that this is the first and best step to a better world. Every major religion in the world has this concept at it's foundation. So, if you truly practice this, people of differing religions should be accepting of others. In theory, the limit of applying this concept globally would be global peace. So, let's all put it into practice in everything we do.

Answer 2

The Golden Rule itself has its grey edges.

For example:
I want people to worship me and bring me gifts on a daily basis and do all my work so I could sit around and be lazy. Is that "how I want to be treated"? Definitely. Is that reasonable? Heck no.

See, it's not a question of "how I want to be treated" -- it's a question of reasonability. It's that fine line between being allowed your own freedoms without imposing upon the freedoms of others. No man can have 100% freedom, because that would mean everyone else has none.

If we knew exactly where that boundary lie, in every possible respect, and applied that concept, then YES, the world would be such a better place. The sad part is, most people aren't even aware that boundary exists.

Think of the government as the agent through which we impose these boundaries. Now think of Communism; great in concept, poor in logistics. The fact of the matter is, people are selfish -- they have evolved to be such and, by nature, think of themselves above others. I'm not trying to sound negative, but is a statement of fact, and we are centuries away from a universal empathy. If ever.

It's a great question--it's an imperative question, but it will be a while before:
1) The Golden Rule, the social boundaries and responsibilities between us, are firmly established.
2) We are able to think enough in the "big picture", we are able to have enough empathy, to make the Golden Rule a reality.

Answer 3

Absolutely not!

Why? Because I don't want to be treated as you want to be treated. And neither does anyone else.

The basic flaw in the Golden Rule is that it is presumptuous that we can determine what is the best way to treat another person based only on our desires, fears, and hopes.

The alternative to the Golden Rule is the idea that we should treat people as THEY want to be treated. That also has the flaw that sometimes people want to be treated to things that are illegal or immoral.

The thing that people eventually realize who study ethics is that there is NO rule that applies to all situations or peoples. For every rule there will be exceptions that are so important that they make the rule appear silly.

Answer 4

Fist of all...
Masochists only like pain during sex.
The rest of the time, they to want to be treated nicely.

And also, masochism comes from the person not getting enough positive love (getting beaten, abused, etc.) as a child and therefore they wind up relating pain to love later on in life.

If everyone went by the golden rule, there would be no masochists because children wouldn't confuse punishment for love anymore.

Answer 5

Even the Golden Rule has been altered.

Herein lies the problem:
He who has the gold makes the rules.

This is the problem.

I have no answer.

You are on the right track.

One thinks that as a good moral individual if only all others were just as I.

This is similar to the pay it forward theme.

I wish it were so.

I wish that we could live in peace with one another and share good and focus our energy on only doing good, not harm.

This is paradise.

I am there, in my own mind.

It sounds like you want to be there too.

I say do it.

Do good when others do harm.
Do good anyway.
Yes.
Treat others as you wish to be treated, even when they spit in your face.

This is also referred to as taking the narrow road.
Narrow is the gate and the time we have here.
Enjoy it.
Do good.
Treat others well, better than they deserve.

Peace.

Answer 6

Yes. I treat others as I want to be treated. If only everyone else would do the same (not to say that I'm perfect by any means! But I try to avoid being mean to others if I can help it! I will defend myself when attacked however!) Cruelty is unforgiveable. I can't stand bullies. I think if people were able to sympathize & put themselves in the other person's shoes they wouldn't do half the things they do.

Answer 7

Most definitely! If everyone would comply by the Golden Rule,just think what kind of world we would be living in,a peaceful one!!!

Answer 8

yes that is the golden rule whichtreat others how you want to be treated.

Answer 9

Not necessarily.
Some people like being rude, & like to be treated rudely.
So, depended upon the other person's perspectives is how you will be treated.
Regardless of the Golden Rule.
We'd each need to share the same premis in order for it to be a better world.

Answer 10

While it's true that the proper method of dealing with others is based on the Golden Rule it must be understood that you will be taken advantage of and misused.