Golden Rule, The

Do unto others as you would have others do unto you. Often referred to as the Golden Rule or the Ethic of Reciprocity, this ecumenical moral principle implores adherents to contemplate the feelings and preferences of fellow human beings before acting. Although the rule finds its prominence in Christian theology through the teachings of Jesus, its origin can be traced back to the Hindu tradition and a pronouncement ca. 3000 BCE.

The Golden Rule is contained within the ethical systems of many of the world’s most prominent religions such as Buddhism, Christianity, Confucianism, Hinduism, Islam, Jainism, Judaism, Sikhism, Taoism, and Zoroastrianism. Alongside these world religions, many prominent thinkers, including Plato and Socrates, also incorporate the Golden Rule into their philosophies. Philosopher Immanuel Kant’s categorical imperative disallows ...