Moral precepts and the origins of the Golden Rule
A leader is said to give articulation to the imagination of the people. This is precisely what we have been doing over the millennia. It is likely what we will continue to do.
Christians may argue that without religious faith, moral precepts will vanish. Only the wise principles issued from the mouth of Jesus Christ, that “he spake as never man spake” (John 7:46), are spiritual and holy.
The assertion is that moral precepts cannot be found in the writing of other ages before the Christian era. This is simply not true. Even the Golden Rule, which Christian writers have erroneously ascribed to Jesus Christ as the author. Humans can have moral teachings without current religious tradition.
Consider the following:
1. The Golden Rule was taught by Confucius, 500 BCE. “Do unto another what you would have him do unto you, and do not to another what you would not have him do unto you. You need this law alone. It is the foundation of all the rest.”
2. Golden Rule by Aristotle, 385 BCE. “We should conduct ourselves toward others as we would have them act toward us.”
3. Golden Rule by Pittacus, 650 BCE. “Do not to your neighbor what you would take ill from him.”
4. Golden Rule by Thales, 464 BCE. “Avoid doing what you would blame others for doing.”
5. Golden Rule by Isocrates, 338 BCE. “Act toward others as you desire them to act toward you.”
6. Golden Rule by Aristippus, 365 BCE. “Cherish reciprocal benevolence, which will make you as anxious for another’s welfare as your own.”
7. Golden Rule by Sextus, a Pythagorean, 406 BCE. “What you wish your neighbors to be to you, such be also to them.”
8. Golden Rule by Hillel, 50 BCE. “Do not to others what you would not like others to do to you.”
These are the Golden Rule by eight pre-Christians long before it was repurposed by/for Jesus. This proves moral precepts need not come from the transcendent and that the human brain can originate ethical principles. The Golden Rule stems from the most natural sentiments: “Would I like to be treated like this?” is an intuitive moral feeling emanating from the human mind. - Rico Roho