Do not do to one generation what you wouldn't want done to yours.
The "Golden Rule"; which is "the Law and the Prophets"; the principle that you shouldn't do to anyone what you would not want done to yourself; treat others as you would like to be treated yourself; do as you would be done by; "putting yourself into someone else's shoes". This is said to be found in many if not all religions and many philosophies across the world and across time.
It is essentially the same as "love your neighbour/fellow man/fellow human as yourself".
It is closely related to and perhaps the origin of the principle that you are free to do as you will unless your freedom impedes someone else's freedom, which is a principle of many legal and political systems.
This principle - sometimes called the Golden Rule - probably does exist in all religions and is part of many philosophies too. It is very ancient.
If this simple principle was applied, what would it mean?
At the worst it would mean that we should all live in monasteries; at the best it advocates some kind of communal living; or just natural tribal co-operation pure and simple (a bit like in Ramsey Street!)
Maybe Ecosteries - ecological monasteries - are a good idea for saving the planet.
They could be far less restrictive than conventional monasteries. But the thing is communal living is maybe part of the solution.
I love monasteries anyway.
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It is a rule that I myself have not always obeyed. I am sorry. It's an ideal I suppose. And ideal to try for and aspire to.
I think it would maybe be easier to obey the rule if it was more structurally part of life....
The "Golden Rule"; which is "the Law and the Prophets"; the principle that you shouldn't do to anyone what you would not want done to yourself; treat others as you would like to be treated yourself; do as you would be done by; "putting yourself into someone else's shoes". This is said to be found in many if not all religions and many philosophies across the world and across time.
It is essentially the same as "love your neighbour/fellow man/fellow human as yourself".
It is closely related to and perhaps the origin of the principle that you are free to do as you will unless your freedom impedes someone else's freedom, which is a principle of many legal and political systems.
This principle - sometimes called the Golden Rule - probably does exist in all religions and is part of many philosophies too. It is very ancient.
If this simple principle was applied, what would it mean?
At the worst it would mean that we should all live in monasteries; at the best it advocates some kind of communal living; or just natural tribal co-operation pure and simple (a bit like in Ramsey Street!)
Maybe Ecosteries - ecological monasteries - are a good idea for saving the planet.
They could be far less restrictive than conventional monasteries. But the thing is communal living is maybe part of the solution.
I love monasteries anyway.
---
It is a rule that I myself have not always obeyed. I am sorry. It's an ideal I suppose. And ideal to try for and aspire to.
I think it would maybe be easier to obey the rule if it was more structurally part of life....
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Treat people as ends in themselves, rather than as means to ends...
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