[net.politics] The Golden Rule

garys@bunkerb.UUCP (Gary Samuelson) (08/12/83)

I have bad news for everyone arguing against using the
"Golden Rule" (Do to others as you want others to do to you)
as a basis for morality -- you are all using it.

Why should I not steal?  Because I would be violating the
rights of the person I steal from.  Why should I care about
someone else's rights?  Because if I do not respect others'
rights, they will not respect my rights.  In other words,
respect others' rights as you want others to respect your
rights.  A perfect application (nearly a restatement) of the
golden rule.

There could be, of course, another reason why I should care
about others' rights, but "mysticism" is in disfavor with
the general public these days.


Gary Samuelson
ittvax!bunker!bunkerb

laura@utcsstat.UUCP (08/13/83)

I am printing this article in its entirity. Perhaps it will help others
get the point. 


	I have bad news for everyone arguing against using the
	"Golden Rule" (Do to others as you want others to do to you)
	as a basis for morality -- you are all using it.
	
	Why should I not steal?  Because I would be violating the
	rights of the person I steal from.  Why should I care about
	someone else's rights?  Because if I do not respect others'
	rights, they will not respect my rights.  In other words,
	respect others' rights as you want others to respect your
	rights.  A perfect application (nearly a restatement) of the
	golden rule.
	
	There could be, of course, another reason why I should care
	about others' rights, but "mysticism" is in disfavor with
	the general public these days.
	
	
	Gary Samuelson
	ittvax!bunker!bunkerb
	
Perhaps you haven't noticed, but this whole discussion started as
'Societal consensus as a basis for law'. I am opposed. Clearly
the disfavour of "mysticism" with the general public does not carry
much weight with me. By your definition, my reasons for caring
about others' rights are entirely mystic.

Laura Creighton
utzoo!utcsstat!laura