It was designed by renowned thinkers and teachers in ancient times, however, and is now very important."The golden rule of conduct" captures comprehensive moral principle against another person within any practical situation.It applies to everything that concerns human relations.
What is the "golden rule"?
present, without exaggeration, in each of the existing religions in one way or another."Golden rule" - is a fundamental canon, reflecting the call for morality.It is often perceived as a fundamental, the most important of its truth.The rule under consideration morality says, "Do not do to others what you do not want to do unto you» (Quod tibi fieri non vis alteri ne feceris).
concentration of practical wisdom in it is one of the aspects of the endless ethical reflection.
historical facts with regards to the reporting rules
period of its origin belongs to the middle of 1 ths. BC.e., when it flowed Humanist coup.The status of "golden" it has acquired in the XVIII century.
known that earlier in tribal communities with regards to the custom of blood vengeance - talion (wages equivalent to the crime).He advocated a kind of enmity stop delivery, as this cruel law required an equivalent punishment.
When tribal relations began to disappear, there was a clear division of difficulty, so to speak, and their foreign.Economic ties outside the community were often more important than kinship.
So, the community has not wanted to be responsible for the misdeeds of individual members.In this regard, Taleon loses effectiveness, and there is a need to build a completely new principle to regulate interpersonal relationships, independent of tribal affiliation.It is this principle was the rule: "Treat people the way you would like them to treat you."
Explanation of the ethical rules
In its various formulations there is one common link - the "other".It refers to any person (the closest or distant relative, an acquaintance or a stranger).
value "golden rule" - the equivalence of all people with regards to their freedom and the possibility to improve.It's kind of equality of the best human qualities and the best standards of conduct.
If you wonder "" golden rule "- what is it?", The answer should not disclose it verbatim interpretation, and the inner philosophical sense, which brought him to the status of "gold".
Thus, the ethical rule requires advance awareness of individual person consequences of acts committed by them in the future with respect to another person by means of projection yourself in his place.It teaches us to treat others as to himself.
In some cultures, it reflected?
At the same time (but independently) "golden rule of conduct" appeared in Hinduism and Buddhism, and Judaism and Christianity, and Islam, as well as ethical and philosophical doctrines (Confucianism).One of the formulations can be seen in the "Mahabharata" (sayings of the Buddha).
known that Confucius, when asked his pupil about whether there is such a word that could guide all his life, said: "This word -" reciprocity. "Do not do to others what you yourself do not desire. "
in ancient writings it is found in the classic poem of Homer's "Odyssey" in the prose works of Herodotus "History", as well as the teachings of Socrates, Aristotle, Hesiod, Plato, Thales of Miletus and Seneca.
In the Bible, this rule is mentioned twice: in the Sermon on the Mount (Matt. 7:12; Lk. 3:31, the gospel), and in the conversations of the apostles of Jesus Christ.
In the "Sunnah" (sayings of Muhammad) "golden rule" states: "Do all the people that you would like to do to you people, and do not do to others what you do not want to imagine."
wording of the "golden rule of morality»
In the past, attempts were made to classify its shape according to the aesthetic or social criteria.
Thus, the German philosopher Christian Tomasi highlighted three main forms of the rule, thus delimiting the scope of law, morality and politics, which he called the principles of law, decency and respect.
They are as follows.
- principle of the right philosophically reveals a kind of requirement that a person should not do in relation to the other that he would not like to make in relation to himself.
- principle of decency is presented as an ethical appeal that the individual is made to another subject that he would like to do it.
- disclosed principle of respect to the man always acted with regards to other people the way he wanted them to do against him.
German scholar H. Rainer also suggested that the wording of the three "golden rules" that resonate with the one discussed above his interpretations (H. Tomasi).
- first formulation - the rule of feeling, which reads: "(He) do to others what (not) wish themselves."
- second - a rule of autonomy is: "(He) do it yourself what you find (not) in another commendable."
- third - reciprocity rule is: "How do you (not) want toward you there were people (not) even so do ye also to them."
«golden rule» in proverbs and sayings
This moral canon firmly entrenched in the mass consciousness of people mainly in the form of folklore.
So, for example, the meaning of the "golden rule" is reflected in a number of Russian proverbs.
- «What else do not love, and that he did not do it."
- «Do not dig a hole to another -'ll fall into it."
- «As the call, so the echo."
- «How to shout into the forest and from the forest will respond."
- «What people wish, he receives it."
- «Do not spit in the well - to have some water to drink."
- «making people wrong, do not expect them to good" and others.
Thus, the "golden rule" in Proverbs and makes it quite often to apply it in everyday life and pass from generation to generation in the form of easy to remember folklore.
«Diamond rule morality»
It is in addition to the previously discussed "golden."It is usually called the diamond because of versatility, symbolizing the human personality that is unique in its kind.
So, as mentioned earlier, the "golden rule" states: "Do not do to others what you do not want to do unto you.""Diamond" also adds: "Do what no one but you."Here the focus is on the benefits brought by (strictly individually for each person) the greatest possible number of people.
other words, the "diamond golden rule" states: "Act so that your greatest ability to serve the greatest needs of others."It is the uniqueness of the individual (the subject of ethical action) favor a universal criterion.
So, if the "golden rule" - is the transformation of the subject into an object (mental projection of yourself in the other person and conscious rejection of the actions that would not like myself), "diamond" canon, on the other hand, allocates it can not be reduced under reviewthe subject of moral action to the target, as well as its uniqueness and individuality.
«golden rule" as the object of attention of philosophers
English materialist philosopher Thomas Hobbes touted it as the basis of natural law, which play a decisive role in people's lives.It is quite easy to understand by everyone.This rule allows you to restrict purely personal selfish ambitions, and thus create the basis for the unity of all the people within the state.
English philosopher John Locke did not accept "the golden rule of morality," like something from birth, this man, and, on the other hand, pointed to the fact that it builds on the natural equality of all men, and if they are aware of it by means of the canon, thecome to public virtue.
German philosopher Immanuel Kant is quite critical of the traditional wording of the canon.According to him, "golden rule" in its explicitly does not allow to evaluate the degree of ethical development of the individual man may understate the moral requirements in relation to himself or take a selfish position (I will not bother you live, do not disturb and you to me).It involves the desire of man in his moral conduct.However, it is these desires, passions and dreams often make a person hostage to its nature and completely cut off the moral - human freedom.
Nevertheless, the categorical imperative of Immanuel Kant (the central concept of ethical teachings) is exclusively a philosophical clarification of the existing canon.According to Kant, the "golden rule" states: "Act so that the maxim of your will could always be the basis of universal law."In this definition, the German philosopher tries, so to speak, close the loophole even the most petty of human selfishness.He believed that human desires and passions should not replace the true motives of ethical action.The individual responsible for the possible consequences of their actions.
Two trends of ethical self-determination of man from the perspective of European philosophy
first presents the human as a social individual who is subject to the generally accepted morality.
second trend focuses on the understanding of the representative of the human race as a person aspiring to the corresponding ideal (maturity, integrity, self-development, self-actualization, individualization, the realization of the inner nature, and so on. D.), And morality as a way to allow to reach the inner self.
If in modern society to say philosophers: "Formulate" golden rule "," the answer would be no standard of its formulation, and a deeper focus on the considered him a person acting as the subject of ethical action.
fall of moral standards in modern society
spiritual sphere in society around the world since the beginning of the XX century greatly impoverished.This is due to the dominant position today economic problems and associated ideological and political issues (almost all human actions are aimed at the accumulation of wealth mainly).
In the constant race for wealth people neglected spirituality, stop to think about the domestic cultivation, started to ignore the ethics of their actions.This trend has emerged since the end of the XIX century.Even Dostoevsky wrote about unbridled lust for money, which was seized by people of that era (a century ago) Insanely ("The Idiot").
Most people have forgotten, and many do not know that the "golden rule" states.
result of processes taking place at the moment, may be stagnation in the development of civilization, or even evolution comes to a standstill.
essential role in the waning morality of society with regards to Russia and Germany played a relevant ideology that emerged in all its layers, in the days of the coming to power of the Bolsheviks and the Nazis, respectively.
low ethical level of humanity, as a rule, clearly recorded in the critical moments of history (revolutions, civil and interstate wars, instability of public order, and so on. D.).Examples are flagrant violations of ethical standards in Russia during the Civil War (1918-1921 gg.), During the Second World War (1939-1945 gg.), In the era of Stalin's industrialization (20-30-ies.) AndNowadays, in the form of "epidemic" of terrorist acts.All of these events led to one disastrous result - the death of a large number of any innocent people.
moral aspects often are not taken into account in the decisions of public issues: during the economic, social, agricultural and industrial reforms (usually the result - negative environmental impacts).
current adverse situation in our country almost all areas of human life - is a direct result of government failures in relation to the existing ethical level of society at the time of the next state decision.
Recent years have seen the deterioration of the criminal situation in our country has increased the number of murders, custom and particularly cruel, bullying, theft, rape, bribery, vandalism, etc.. All this often goes unpunished because the decreased percentage of solved crimes.
curious example of disorder and chaos that prevails at present in our country, acts sensational story that took place in 1996, two people were arrested for an act of theft from the House of the Russian Government of the carton, which was half a million dollars.Soon received an official statement to the effect that the owner of the money did not show up, in connection with which the criminal case was closed, and the investigation terminated.Criminals instantly become "benefactors of the state", as it turns out, they found a "treasure", and confiscated money was sent to the state treasury.
It's clear that the owner acquired them money dishonestly, otherwise he would immediately lay claim to them.In such a case, the prosecutor's office had to carry out an investigation to ascertain the source of the appearance of the box with a very large sum of money.Why this did not happen - the official authorized persons tactfully silent.It remains to assume that the Ministry of Interior, the courts and prosecutors can not cope with the criminal situation in the country.And the reason for this is, apparently, a large number of corrupt government officials.
