What is the "Golden Rule"

[MrDibble]

Personally, I prefer the not-so-self-centered formulation “Do unto others as they would prefer you do unto them” - that way the masochists don’t get left out.

[MrDibble]

@scudsucker

I was under the impression the rule is:

Do unto 1.6180339887 of your fellow men as you would have done to yourself

That’s very funny. And geeky.

[Snickers]

Isn’t it “Be excellent to each other?” If not, it should be.

[thelurkinghorror]

@Snickers

Isn’t it “Be excellent to each other?” If not, it should be.

Only if you add on to the end: “And… PARTY ON DUDES!”

[Inigo_Montoya]

I voted for the one I practice, not for the one I know to reflect reality.

[Skammer]

@Little_Nemo

Hillel was a great thinker but he didn’t invent this concept. It’s a common moral principle that can be found in pretty much all religions.

Buddhism: “Hurt not others in ways that you yourself would find hurtful.” - Udana-Varga 5:18
Hinduism: “This is the sum of duty: do not do to others what would cause pain if done to you.” - Mahabharata 5:1517
Zoroastrianism: “Whatever is disagreeable to yourself do not do unto others.” - Shayast-na-Shayast 13:29

@Floater

This is in my opinion the real golden rule. The Christian abomination of it is despicable.

Eh?
(Matthew 7:12 - [Jesus said] “So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets.”)

I get that you’re distinguishing “Do not hurt others in ways that would hurt you” from “treat others as you would like to be treated” but could you elaborate on what you find despicable and an abomination? And why the Christian version is more offensive than the Confucianism or Jainism versions?