| reciprocity
and generalizability, norms of
The best known
norm of reciprocity is the "Golden Rule," and variations
of it are found in almost every religious tradition. Examples
include:
- "Hurt not
others with that which pains yourself." (Buddhist)
- "All things
whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even
so to them: for this is the law and the prophets."
(Christian)
- "Try your
best to treat others as you would wish to be treated yourself,
and you will find that this is the shortest way to benevolence."
(Confucian)
- "This is
the sum of duty: do naught to others which if done to thee
would cause thee pain." (Hindu)
- "What is
hateful to you, do not to your fellow men. That is the entire
Law; all the rest is commentary." (Jewish)
- "No one
of you is a believer until he desires for his brother that
which he desires for himself." (Muslim)
The most famous
"modern" norm of generalizability comes from German
philosopher Immanuel Kant (1724-1804), whose "categorical
imperative" (over-riding command) of morality was to
"act only on that maxim by which you can at the same
time will that it should become a universal law."
Many mothers and
fathers articulate this rule to their children in a simpler
form, in response to perceived misbehavior: "What if
everyone did that?" (But contrast this with "I don't
care what everyone else is doing.")
See also:
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