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To: RightWhale
the existance of the 'golden rule' as the historical basis of all moral codes.

There are other moral codes than the Western, Christian, and Platonic, other histories or realizations. The Confucian system is based on li, functional duty, performance of which provides true humanity. Buddhist, Tao, early Gita, and some of the African systems aren't reliant on the principle of reciprocity but have completely different bases of personal perception or responsibility.

I was trying to find an article about the golden rule, posted here at FR several years ago.
It's author tied togeather quotes from every major religion, and dozens of minor ones, that showed that its premise of realistic self interest is, and was, present in all known societies.

507 posted on 08/19/2003 6:27:47 PM PDT by tpaine ( I'm trying to be Mr Nice Guy, but politics keep getting in me way. ArnieRino for Governator!)
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To: tpaine
realistic self interest

This must include various constraints and extentions. The individuality we obviously possess is, in some thought, going to be carried right through to our ultimate evolution and, if anything, strengthened while we all recognize and respect the individuality and uniqueness of each other. If we each remain self-absorbed and turn from society, we limit our individual possibilities, the error of the hermit, and if we form a perfect society, we each can realize our own maximum potential--never getting there, of course, always getting closer to the asymptote in a logarithmic way. The Golden Rule must be carefully applied. It might not always be that our neighbor wishes to be treated as we wish to be treated; if we would like to be given a jelly-filled donut, he might not: it might even kill him if he has an allergy. We need to be careful about rules.

508 posted on 08/19/2003 8:22:52 PM PDT by RightWhale (Repeal the Law of the Excluded Middle)
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