can you think of any arguments against the Golden Rule?
assuming the golden rule to mean "do unto others as you would have done unto you", can you think of any arguments as to why this rule shouldn't be used a basis for a set of ethics?
Others don't necessarily want done unto them what you want done unto you.
"Do unto others as they would have you do unto them" is a failure too, though, because that implies you might have to do unto yourself as you don't want to, in order to meet the want of others.
There's no moral absolute rule. All we can say is, in a civilized society we must ultimately pay each other the same most basic respect that we would demand from them ourselves. (Edit: we care because we are social beings who by nature are interdependent and survive by getting along in groups) That's probably what is really meant by the GR, only it was originally written for an audience that had basically no diversity of values.
Others don't necessarily want done unto them what you want done unto you.
"Do unto others as they would have you do unto them" is a failure too, though, because that implies you might have to do unto yourself as you don't want to, in order to meet the want of others.
There's no moral absolute rule. All we can say is, in a civilized society we must ultimately pay each other the same most basic respect that we would demand from them ourselves. (Edit: we care because we are social beings who by nature are interdependent and survive by getting along in groups) That's probably what is really meant by the GR, only it was originally written for an audience that had basically no diversity of values.
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Why should we necessarily care what happens to others?
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^^ Do not agree with that argument in the least.
Yes, very easily:
What about a sado-masochist, meaning one who loves to have pain inflicted upon them? If the golden rule were a solid ethical proposition, all sado-masochists would be making moral decisions to inflict pain on you and everyone else.
Therefore, the "golden rule" can never be used as an absolute guide for moral/ethical decision making, that is, of course, unless you think it is ethical for sado-masochists going around harming everyone.
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…it is not a rule others follow…
…humanely or ethically…
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The Golden Rule makes the broad assumption that everyone wants to be treated fairly, to have people around them care. It is subjective and falls apart when you encounter a masochist, or someone who lives like they have a 'death wish'.
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I would like to have someone give me a million dollars. But if they did that, I would have to give it back to them. I still wouldn't get my money!
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