There is something fundamental about the Golden Rule. It crops up variously around the world, in just about every tradition.
Political Authority Ain't Golden Rule Compliant
By Max Borders
If the moral universe bends toward justice, our future will include progress from the domain of "Must" to that of "Ought." Enter the Golden Rule.
[T]he arc of the moral universe is long but it bends toward justice.
—Martin Luther King, Jr.
There is something fundamental about the Golden Rule. It crops up variously around the world, in just about every tradition. Philosophers will question which variation is best or which folds under technical or analytic scrutiny. Indeed, we’ve discussed competing variations on these pages, but I generally agree with Nathan Smith, who says the Golden Rule is the “crown of ethics ([link removed]) .”
So, for the purposes of this exercise, pick your favorite variation. Here is a handful:
* Love thy neighbor as thyself. (Leviticus/Matthew formulation)
* That which is hateful to you, do not do to your fellows. (Rabbi Hillel formulation)
* Do unto others as you would have them do unto you. “All things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them.” (Sermon on the Mount Formulation)
* Act in such a way that you treat humanity, whether in your own person or in the person of any other, never merely as a means to an end, but always at the same time as an end. (Kant’s 2nd formulation)
* Is there a deed, Rahula, thou dost wish to do? Then bethink thee thus: Is this deed conducive to my own harm, or to others harm, or to that of both? Then this is a bad deed entailing suffering. Such a deed must thou surely not do. (Buddhist formulation)
* Hurt not others in ways that you yourself would find hurtful. (Bahá’í formulation)
* How would you like it if somebody punched you or took your lunch money? (Schoolyard formulation)
I wouldn’t bother arguing with philosophers until you have thoughtfully practiced your favorite variation for 30 days. You might even try multiple variations in your practice. What does it mean to abstain from harming others? What does it mean to love others actively, as in the Jesus/Leviticus formulation? Don’t overthink it. Don’t underthink it. Instead of letting it become a rigid, literal rule or philosophical puzzle, align your head, heart, and gut ([link removed]) —and then practice it.
Now, I want to argue that if the arc of the moral universe indeed bends toward justice, it’s because more people will come to practice and institutionalize the Golden Rule.
The Magisteria
Take a simple, small-scale example: Imagine you have something I want. As we have said elsewhere, persuasion or compulsion are the only two ways I can get it from you. That’s it.
Another way to put the matter is this:
1. I can appeal to your compassion—You ought to give me that—or your interests—You ought to trade with me so I can have that. Or,
2. I can either commit a criminal and immoral act (such as stealing from you, threatening you, or assaulting you)—You must give me that, or else…
The first belongs to the Magisterium of Ought. The second belongs to the Magisterium of Must. Only one of these is Golden Rule compliant.
Persuasion: The Magisterium of Ought
The Magisterium of Ought emphasizes human society's voluntary, ethical, and cooperative aspects. It includes:
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Read the rest of this article and others like it on our website ([link removed]) .
Max Borders is a senior advisor to The Advocates. He also writes at Underthrow ([link removed]) .
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