|
The Golden Rule or ethic of reciprocity is a moral maxim〔 This dictionary of philosophy contains the following exact quote under the entry for "golden rule": "The maxim 'Treat others how you wish to be treated'. Various expressions of this fundamental moral rule are to be found in tenets of most religions and creeds through the ages, testifying to its universal applicability." (end quote).〕 or principle〔Walter Terence Stace argued that the Golden Rule was much more than simply an ethical code. Instead, he posits, it "express() the essence of a universal morality." The rationale for this crucial distinction occupies much of his book ''The Concept of Morals'' (1937): – (above quote found p. 136, ch. 6) 〕 which may appear as either a positive or negative injunction: * One should treat others as one would like others to treat oneself (positive or directive form).〔 * One should ''not'' treat others in ways that one would ''not'' like to be treated (negative or prohibitive form).〔 It is easily noted that acceptance of the positive version places a much greater burden on the person attempting to practice the rule in daily interactions with others. While the negative versions would allow one to ignore the needs of another, those who have determined to follow the positive forms of the rule will not ignore the needs of others, but will, as encouraged by the rule, reach out to share their goods and provide support to those in need that they find in their daily walk through life. The Golden Rule differs from the maxim of reciprocity captured in do ut des - "I give so that you will give in return" - and is rather a unilateral moral commitment to the well-being of the other without the expectation of anything in return.〔(The moral primacy of basic respect )〕 The concept occurs in some form in nearly every religion〔W.A. Spooner, "The Golden Rule," in James Hastings, ed. ''Encyclopedia of Religion and Ethics'', Vol. 6 (New York: Charles Scribner's Sons, 1914) pp. 310–12, quoted in Rushworth M. Kidder, ''How Good People Make Tough Choices: Resolving the Dilemmas of Ethical Living'', Harper, New York, 2003. ISBN 0-688-17590-2. p. 159. Simon Blackburn also notes the connection between Confucius and the Golden Rule. 〕 and ethical tradition. It can also be explained from the perspectives of psychology, philosophy, sociology, and economics. Psychologically, it involves a person empathizing with others. Philosophically, it involves a person perceiving their neighbor also as "I" or "self". Sociologically, 'love your neighbor as yourself' is applicable between individuals, between groups, and also between individuals and groups. In economics, Richard Swift, referring to ideas from David Graeber, suggests that "without some kind of reciprocity society would no longer be able to exist." ==Etymology== The ''term'' "Golden Rule", or "Golden law" began to be used widely in the early 17th century in Britain; the earliest known usage is that of Charles Gibbon in 1604.〔 抄文引用元・出典: フリー百科事典『 ウィキペディア（Wikipedia）』 ■ウィキペディアで「golden rule」の詳細全文を読む スポンサード リンク
|