Religion + Ethics

The Golden Rule

Ethical Perspectives

• Outlook → A way of looking at a situation

• Guiding principal

  • Leads to ethical action

• Past → Religion has more power + authority over regulating morality in society

  • Through laws

  • Religious leaders were a part of the government

• Pluralist Society (modern times) → Religion has less power

  • ‘Advisory’ role or ‘contributory’

Basics

• Positive → Do unto others what you want to be done to yourself

  • Eg. Islam → Not one of you truly believes until you wish for others what you wish for yourself

• Negative → Don’t do to others what you don’t want to be done to you

  • Eg., Buddhism → Treat not others in ways that you yourself would find hurtful

• Ethical principle → In the image of God

  • Life is sacred

Problem

• Assumes what is good for me is good for you

• Ethnocentric → Only works for people within the same ethnic or cultural community

• Focuses on sameness + equality instead of equity

• Platinum rule → Do unto others as they would have you do unto them

Golden Rule Strengths + Weaknesses

• Strengths

  • Universal

  • Prioritises compassion

• Weaknesses

  • Ethnocentric

  • Equality over equity

Platinum Rule Strengths + Weaknesses

• Strengths

  • Prioritises equity

  • Acknowledges differences

• Weakenesses

  •