The golden rule and interpersonal carefrom a confucian perspective qingjie james wang department of philosophy, oklahoma state university ones own desires as to how others should treat one should serve, by analogy, as a. Jen is very prized in confucianism and is one of the reasons society is so stressed, since it is impossible to cultivate virtue alone. One should not behave towards others in a way which is disagreeable to oneself. According to the oxford dictionary of philosophy, the golden rule is defined as. The wiccan rede is a version of the golden rule, which can be found in most other religions, the earliest dating back to confucianism, where a 6th century bce statement, what you do not want done to yourself, do not do to others, can be found. Some have accused jesus of borrowing the idea of the golden rule from the eastern religions. Americas premier biographer for young people illuminates the remarkable life and farreaching influence of the famous chinese philosopher.
Understanding the golden rulereligious and cultural origins. Shintoism way of the gods, a religion which begins and is mostly practiced in japan. They descended from abraham, were freed from egyptian slavery, and enjoyed a golden age under king david in the promised land. South and east asia religions flash cards flashcards quizlet. The golden rule is entirely missing from the koran, both from the letter as well as the spirit of islams original texts. A kafir may never be treated equally to a muslim, nor offered genuine friendship or love. Golden rule, i conclude that the nature of morality in the confucian tradition. These socially oriented thinkers emphasized breeding. Confucianism article about confucianism by the free dictionary. The golden rule, a unifying humanistic principle, cannot be claimed for any one philosophy or religion. The dao has several meanings, including the road, the way, the moral conduct and the mysterious natural order of the universe.
A practical and effective solution for world peace. Golden rule of behavior confucianism what you do not like when done unto yourself, do not unto others. Ren, which is sometimes called the golden rule, promotes benevolence, altruism and the maintenance of social relationships. As it is gods word by design it is therefore holy set apart. The philosophy of confucianism is most practiced in. Moral philosophy has barely taken notice of the golden rule in its own terms despite the rules prominence in commonsense ethics. The golden rule is the principle of treating others as you want to be treated. 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. Confucianism is also practiced by others in east asia.
Whose golden rule of behavior was what you do not like when done unto yourself, do not unto others. The analects collects his teachings on education and government, the definition. This idea of boundless compassion that you should treat others as you want to be treated is central to confucian philosophy. There are thousands of classic textbooks of confucianism, none of them being holy. His golden rule of behavior was what you do not like when done unto yourself, do not unto others. For this, you shall not commit adultery, you shall not murder, you shall not steal, you shall not covet, and if there is any other commandment, it is summed up in this saying, you shall love your neighbor as yourself. It can be considered an ethic of reciprocity in some religions. Southern and eastern asia religions flashcards quizlet. Confucianism called on the sovereigns to rule the people not on a basis of laws and punishment but through virtue, through an example of highly moral behavior, on a basis of common law. Throughout the ages, many traditions have promoted one or another version of it. Variously described as tradition, a philosophy, a religion, a humanistic or rationalistic religion, a way of governing, or simply a way of life, confucianism developed from what was later called the hundred schools of thought from the teachings of the chinese philosopher confucius 551479 bce. And no human being including master kong ever posed a fundamental for behavior like this.
Versions of the golden rule in dozens of religions and other sources. Learn about the life and teachings of chinese philosopher confucius and how followers used. Zhu placed the analects, or lunyu, second in his list of four books because its foundation for learning builds upon the framework of the first book. Confucian books are boring if youre interested in holy stories, spiritual miracles, and afterlife thrills. Ren is also very important in politics, the idea being a ruler who exhibits good ren will rule humanely over his subjects who will in turn obey him. This was one of the guiding principles of life that confucius taught his followers, five centuries before jesus taught the golden rule with similar words. Then there are individuals who live by it, regardless of faith. The golden rule is usually associated with christianity. It can be considered an ethic of reciprocity in some religions, although other religions treat it differently. Through virtuous behavior and observance of right relationships, harmony is established in the self and in the kingdom.
Which golden rule of ethics is best, the christian or confucian. The golden rule of benevolence versus the silver rule of. The most familiar version of the golden rule says, do unto others as you would have them do unto you. Confucianism article about confucianism by the free. Why be led around by the nose of our particular beliefs and interests just. The sovereigns were asked not to burden the people with heavy taxes and obligations. The golden rule is the idea that people should treat others in the same way that they themselves would like to be treated. Are christians wrong to lay claim to the golden rule as a religious concept. Jan 02, 2020 some have accused jesus of borrowing the idea of the golden rule from the eastern religions. With an enlightening authors note, and informative sources and suggestions for further reading included at the end, confucius. World scripture the golden rule the golden rule or the ethic of reciprocity is found in the scriptures of nearly every religion. Confucianism was declared the official guiding practice for the chinese government in 121 bce. The golden rule is sometimes stated in a negative way.
Those words were spoken nearly two thousand years ago by jesus christ in his famous sermon on the mount. Their holy book is called the analects they study this book and tells them what happened in the past. It is often regarded as the most concise and general principle of ethics. The belief that a persons good or bad behavior affects hisher destiny. It functions by expanding and thinning ones sense of self by generating increasing varieties of empathy, or the ability to practice multiperspectivalism through looking at the world, interests, preferences and oneself from the perspective of others. His golden rule of behavior was what you do not like.
Mar 27, 2020 the golden rule is the idea that people should treat others in the same way that they themselves would like to be treated. Is human moral behavior more likely to come from the bible. The rule of reciprocity can be found in all major religions, but with a different emphasis. The great learning, the analects of confucius, the book of mencius. The golden rule in confucian thought the golden rule is viewed by integral deep listening as a yogic tool for awakening. One should treat others as one would like others to treat oneself positive or directive form. The master said, to rule a country of a thousand chariots, there must be love for men.
This stunningly beautiful dramadocumentary explores the life and times of confucius, while reflecting on his influence on modern justice and morality. To move in the direction of right we must pay attention. This is perhaps, the strongest argument that islam is an exclusive, supremacist cult. It is a condensation in one principle of all longer lists of ordinances such as the decalogue. However, the texts for confucianism, hinduism, and buddhism, cited above, were all written between 500 and 400 bc, at the earliest. 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. In his book on the golden rule, jeffrey wattles makes the similar observation that such objections typically arise while applying the golden rule in certain general ways namely, ignoring differences in taste, in. What you do not want done to yourself, do not do to others. Buddhism, hinduism, judaism, christianity and even sikhism also have variations of the golden rule. The golden rule internet encyclopedia of philosophy.
Its also sometimes called the ethic of reciprocity. For this, you shall not commit adultery, you shall not murder, you shall not steal, you shall not covet, and if there is any other commandment, it is summed up in this saying. The maxim may appear as either a positive or negative injunction governing conduct. Reciprocity means acting in a way thats cooperative and benefits all who are involved. It functions by expanding and thinning ones sense of self by generating increasing varieties of empathy, or the ability to practice multiperspectivalism through looking at the world, interests, preferences and oneself from. Buddhist holy book guiding principles of hinduism respect all life, live simply with a positive attitude so that you will have good karma going from this life into the next. Human moral behavior comes about through a person allowing themselves to be influenced by the living god. Which religion is considered one of the oldest in the world. Do not do to others what you do not want done to yourself. Paul also comments on the golden rule in the book of romans. They have a holy book called the quran, which they.
According to confucius, only the great sages of antiquity truly possessed ren, but it was a. It is often expressed as do unto others as you would have them do unto you, which is one translation of a biblical verse, luke 6. Religions of southern and eastern asia jeopardy template. Free world history flashcards about religions in asia. In the 12th century, zhu xi codified the sacred texts of confucianism, calling them simply the four books. Confucius was one of historys most influential thinkers. But if we apply the golden rule to our own method of using it, asking in effect if we would want other people to apply the golden rule in such ways, the answer would typically be no, since it is quite predictable that others ignoring of such factors will lead to behavior which we object to. Do not impose on others what you do not wish for yourself. This may be through intentionally and knowingly seeking after the living god or simply people listening to their conscience which they may n. The golden rule a universal teaching all things, therefore, that you want men to do to you, you also must likewise do to them. Religions in asia ss7g12b shintoism, buddhism, confucianism, hinduism, and islam.
He was a sage, philosopher and teacher who, with socrates and buddha, lived at an extraordinary time in the evolution of human civilization. However, in the past two hundred years the rule seems to have lost its. Overview in summary, then, the hallmarks of the original confucians were a reliance on ancient models, a concern for the golden mean between externalism and internalism, a stress on filial piety, and a deep respect for the rulers connection with heaven. Confucianism is not considered a religion because it doesnt teach about what. It has continued to have great influence on chinese government for over 2000 years. Our golden rule leads to proactive behavior, while that of confucius encourages restraint. It is the chinese word shu, which is also translated as forgive, pardon or excuse. The golden rule across the worlds religions thirteen sacred texts. Jesus takes the golden rule from leviticus, written about 1450 bc.
Renowned biographer russell freedmans fascinating, witty introduction to the life and teachings of confucius should finally set the record straight. In the hindu caste system the top of the pyramid is made up of. They have a holy book called the quran, which they believe. Do not do to others what you do not want them to do to. Which golden rule of ethics is best, the christian or. Passages in religious texts in 14 faiths from the bahai faith to satanism. Its found in many religious sacred texts, throughout time, defying language, culture, race, space, and.
The golden rulea universal teaching watchtower online library. Confucianism is based on ideas about moral behavior and human relationships that confucius believed existed during the golden age of the zhou dynasty 1050 226 bce, which he believed was the perfect era and government in china. The golden rule or the ethic of reciprocity is found in the scriptures of nearly every religion. The golden rulea universal teaching watchtower online. It is in direct opposition to that rule of iron and to any other.
A negative formualtion, journal of chinese philosophy on deepdyve, the largest online rental service for scholarly research with thousands of academic publications available at your fingertips. A comparison between the christian and confucian major. A comparison between the christian and confucian major doctrines. Everyone has some sort of code of behavior they try to adhere to, whether they are atheists, agnostics, humanists, or members of a religion. But then he quit his high post for the life of an itinerant philosopher. Taken together, the book depicts a man who valued learning not only for its own sake but also as a path to spiritual fulfillment. The one word that will keep us on the path to the ends of our days ware translates as reciprocity. The metaphysical dao itself exists in a state of inactivity, or nonaction. Confucianism, also known as ruism, is a system of thought and behavior originating in ancient china. The silver rule and the golden rule christian monthly. Southern and southeast asia religions flashcards quizlet. Emphasis is placed on virtuous relationship with others and acting right with all. In daoism, you can also find support for the silver rule. Counterexamples to the golden rule typically are more forceful against the first than the second.
One word which sums up the basis of all good conductlovingkindness. Confucian thought, prince shotokus constitution, and the golden rule provide an. The golden rule has been considered in confucianism and its teachings. The golden rule affirms that all people are inherently equal, unlike islam. Christianity and islam build on its ethical ideals and notions about god. It is a maxim that is found in many religions and cultures. More, confucius himself made the golden rule an unrivaled centerpiece of his philosophy of. Confucianism is not a religion but rather a philosophy that is often said to be the foundation of modern chinese culture. The golden rule, or the ethics of reciprocity, is an islamic moral principle which calls upon people to treat others the way they would like to be treated. Confucianism is based on ideas about moral behavior.
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