Today, many descriptions combine these several ways of positioning. When one cultivates to the utmost the capabilities of his. The golden rule is said to emphasize the positive duties of the individual, while the silver rule regulates negative behaviors. World scripture the golden rule the golden rule or the ethic of reciprocity is found in the scriptures of nearly every religion. What is the difference between the silver rule and the. May 23, 2017 the golden rule is where you treat others the way you would like to be treated.
Good rebounding property doing gods works identity behavior others treating others being a leader decisions taking advantage networking. More, confucius himself made the golden rule an unrivaled centerpiece of his philosophy of life the analects, 1962. The concept of karma, introduced into china in about 200 ad by northern indian buddhism, reinforced the golden rule by not only saying, you get what you give, but what you have, who you are, your social status and your prosperity is a reflection of what you have given. The silver rule is the primary important one to avoid negative acts done to you and others. All the worlds major literary cultureschristians, muslims, zoroastrians, hindus, buddhists, jains, ancient egyptians, and, especially, confucianshave at some point recognized that, if you had to choose just one short proverb to live your life by, treat others the way we want to be treated is pretty much the best you can do. Oct 25, 2007 an introduction to the concept of the golden rule. Confucius took the notion of the gentleman, as one who owned land and had some political power, and reworked it into a moral notion which captures the essence of the good life. The confucian version of the golden rule faced a more rigid chinese clan system, outdoing the hebrews in socialclass distinctions and the sense that many lives are worthless. The one word that will keep us on the path to the ends of our days ware translates as reciprocity.
Our golden rule leads to proactive behavior, while that of confucius encourages restraint. Interpretating and expanding the golden mean of confucius. Chung and shu, confucius taught, are the main ingredients of. Subsequent teachers and philosophers added to the system, creating the system of moral philosophy which came to be known as confucianism. Ebook pdf, 766 kb, this textbased pdf or ebook was created from the html. The graciousness and selfdiscipline which characterize such a gentleman are fostered by, and expressed in. Feb, 2017 deuteronomy the book which is where the golden rule is said, was written in 1600 bc, confucius is quoted as saying it in his life time.
Moral philosophy has barely taken notice of the golden rule in its own terms. Kants second and third criticisms merge insofar as they concern. It is the chinese word shu, which is also translated as forgive, pardon or excuse. Everyone has some sort of code of behavior they try to adhere to, whether they are atheists, agnostics, humanists, or members of a religion. The golden rule americas premier biographer for young people illuminates the remarkable life and farreaching influence of the famous chinese philosopher. Did jesus rip off confucius when he taught the golden rule. Confucianism developed over the course of two thousand years, beginning with the teachings of its founder.
He believed the rulers should set a good example for their people. It can be considered an ethic of reciprocity in some religions, although different religions treat it differently the maxim may appear as a positive or negative injunction governing conduct. Neutrosophy is a new branch of philosophy that studies the origin, nature, and scope of neutralities, as well as their interactions with different ideational spectra. The idea of the golden rule, however, is by no means confined to the socalled christian world. Across the tremendous diversity of belief systems of the worlds religions, the golden rule stands out as a unique element of consensus. Confucius as chinese philosopher and symbol of traditional culture. The golden rule ethic, its measurement, and relationships. The golden rulea universal teaching watchtower online library. The literal golden rule if you want x to do something to you, then do this same thing to x. In this respect confucianism and christianity are similar. Pdf the phenomenon of globalization of markets has been accompanied by calls for a globalization of ethical norms. He was a man of great wisdom and he taught his students a code of conduct that promoted virtue as a way of life. This is, of course, a variant of the maxim voiced by great teachers and philosophers in many regions and many ages the golden rule.
Jan 01, 2002 confucius the golden rule by russell freedman is a great book because it is very interesting. He golden rule gr says treat others as you want to be treated. But most academics ignore the rule, thinking that its unclear and full of problems. He was a sage, philosopher and teacher who, with socrates and buddha, lived at an extraordinary time in the evolution of human civilization. Explain the golden rule, the mischief rule and the literal rule of statutory interpretation. Traditions before confucius heavenman humanism is the main feature of the history of chinese philosophy. Lawhi lbni dhib, epistle to the son of the wolf 30 buddhism. What is the difference between the silver rule and the golden. The illustrations wonderfully combine framed paintings that appear to be ancient with parts of plants actual. Bible study 61 the golden rule so then, whatever you desire that others would do for you, even so do you also for them, for this sums up the law and the prophets. Confucian version of the golden rule makes it a human way rather than a divine rule.
The silver rule was written approximately 5 centuries before the golden rule. Confucius wanted to advise the rulers of china and teach them how to create the perfect society. This bureaucracy was to rule china for 2,000 years. I think the golden rule is everywhere because its not just a christian, muslim or hindu value its a human value.
Is the golden rule treat others as you want to be treated gold or garbage. Golden rule is a compromise between the literal and the mischief. Compare confucius silver rule with the golden rule of. As a concept, the golden rule has a history that long predates the term golden rule or golden law, as it was called from the 1670s. It seems universal subjectivism can combine these two lines of thinking in. Department of philosophy, san jose state university. The rule of reciprocity can be found in all major religions, but with a different emphasis. Compare confucius rule with jesus teaching on the golden rule posted at 15. Makes the ideas of an ancient philosopher seem so modern and fascinating to young readers. Hospital visit from the carol burnett show full sketch duration. The golden rule is the principle of treating others as you want to be treated. We learned that confucius wrote one of the earliest versions of the golden rule. Jesus, confucius, and hillel gave the golden rule as their summary of how to live.
It was not until the han dynasty 206 bcece 220 that an imperial civil service was created based on confuciuss teachings. I should avoid acting on rules to which i might latter object. The original thoughts and quotations of confucius were preserved and collected by his disciples in the analects, which were written down and collected many years after his death. The analects collects his teachings on education and government, the definition. Key ideas confucius believed that there was a fundamental order in the universe and that man, nature, and the cosmos heaven were liked by a natural harmony. It does not matter how slowly you go so long as you do not stop why are the teachings of confucius different from traditional religious ideas. The golden rule represents an ethic with a surprisingly global reach across time and place, often formulated independently and prior to cultural exchange between the communities where it arose wattles, 1997. Confucius wandered with his followers from feudal state to feudal state trying to find a ruler who would adopt his ideas for reform, but he was ignored. The golden rule is usually associated with christianity.
Do not do to other what you do not want them to do to you c. Confucius lived in ancient china in the 6th century b. Then there are individuals who live by it, regardless of faith. Judaism, buddhism, and greek philosophy all expounded this ethical maxim in one form or another. Do not impose on others what you do not desire others to impose upon you. One principle often referred to in such calls is the socalled golden rule. The other side of this paper is devoted to arguing contra 18 centuries of commentators that the negative sentential formulation of the golden rule as found in confucius cannot be converted to an affirmative sentential formulation as is found in christianity without a change in its meaning. Which golden rule of ethics is best, the christian or confucian. Such a negative formulation occurs in the original formulation of the golden rule in leviticus, xix, 18. Confucius the golden rule by russell freedman is a great book because it is very interesting. Confucius and the golden rule 6cms 201617 class blog. The golden rule tells me to do unto others as i would have them do unto me if they were in my shoes position and i were in theirs. Confucius and the golden rule much of the writing of the famous chinese philosopher confucius is about human relationships. The golden and silver rules should work in tandem, although the golden rule was conceived first, and many who know about the golden rule are not as aware of the existence of a silver rule.
Interpretating and expanding the golden mean of confucius with neutrosophic tetrad fu yuhua cnooc research institute, email. Golden rule quotes ranging from personal moral codes to religious texts. Traditional versions of the golden rule in ethics, we normally distinguish between a positive and a negative formulation of the golden rule. As a concept of the ethic of reciprocity, it has its roots in a wide range of world cultures, and is a standard way that different cultures use to resolve conflicts. The carol burnett show official recommended for you. The golden rule of benevolence versus the silver rule of. Americas premier biographer for young people illuminates the remarkable life and farreaching influence of the famous chinese philosopher. It can be considered an ethic of reciprocity in some religions, although different religions treat it differently. This book is generally accepted as the most important and reliable source of the thought of confucius himself, even though it is an unsystem. Lecture 1 confucius university of central lancashire. Many writers have likened the two as well as golden rules from other cultures as well. And if thine eyes be turned towards justice, choose thou for thy neighbor that which thou choosest for thyself.
It is a condensation in one principle of all longer lists of ordinances such as the decalogue. The golden rule internet encyclopedia of philosophy. This stunningly beautiful dramadocumentary explores the life and times of confucius, while reflecting on his influence on modern justice and morality. The golden rule russell freedman, author, frederic clement, illustrator, illus. But then he quit his high post for the life of an itinerant philosopher. More, confucius himself made the golden rule an unrivaled centerpiece of his.
A reexamination of the structure and content of confuciuss. Conduct, proper anger management bad friends eating disorders integrity ethics, personal. Based on this confucian understanding of the golden rule, i conclude that the nature of morality in the confucian tradition should. The golden rule so then, whatever you desire that others would do for you, even so do you also for them, for this sums up the law and the prophets. With an enlightening authors note, and informative sources and suggestions for further reading included at the end, confucius. Confucianism and its teachings have shaped the political and social development of china for hundreds of years. Using the rigorous, lively technique that his readers have come to expect, freedman traveled to chinas shandong province to visit confuciuss birthplace, interviewed his descendants, and plumbed the famous analects the teachings of the sage, written down by his followers. Confucianisms emphasis on human relationships goes hand in hand with. Lewis and william barclay even cited numerous quotations of the negative golden rule from ancient sources to make the contrast appear more stark between what christianity taught, and what the rest of the world taught. Over the course of centuries, confucianism became the dominant system of thought. It does not matter how slowly you go so long as you do not stop. Do not unto others what you do not want them to do to you. Do not do to others what you do not want done to yourself.
It is a maxim that is found in many religions and cultures. The golden rule formulations in confucian texts the golden rule appears, as i mentioned before, in three of the four books, including the analects. Renowned biographer russell freedmans fascinating, witty introduction to the life and teachings of confucius should finally set the record straight. Do not do to others what you do not want them to do to you. He argued that respect and responsibilities should flow in both directions in any relationship. In everything, therefore, treat people the same way you want them to treat you, for this is the law and the prophets. Compare confucius rule with jesus teaching on the golden.
Confucious and the golden rule assignment example topics. Much of the writing of the famous chinese philosopher confucius is about human relationships. More than 2,500 years have passed since confucius walked the dusty country roads of china chatting with his disciples, yet his voice still rings clear and true down through the centries. It is often regarded as the most concise and general principle of ethics.
Jesus, confucius, and hillel gave the golden rule as their. This natural order and harmony should also be the basis for all human relationships. Chinese term for proper behavior, it means sacred ritual and behaving properly given the situation at hand. Deuteronomy the book which is where the golden rule is said, was written in 1600 bc, confucius is quoted as saying it in his life time. Confucius was one of historys most influential thinkers. The golden rule is a solid basis for a responsible applied ethics in both theory and practice. The golden rulea universal teaching watchtower online. Archie i think that the golden rule means treat people the way that you would like to be treated no matter who they are. Wellknown, especially to people in the far east, is a statement by confucius, who is venerated in the orient as the greatest sage and teacher. The ethical golden ruleand the confucian formu lation of itis. Confucius, hillel, jesus, and others used it to sum up how to live. Whether confucian, buddhist, islamic, jewish or christian thought, without their religious. The golden rule is an entertaining and inspiring introductory biography that is sure to whet the appetite of kids 10 and older, and send them out looking for more.
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