It is commonly accepted that the golden rule-most often formulated as "do unto others as you would have them do unto you"-is a unifying element between many diverse religious traditions, both Eastern and Western. Its influence also extends beyond such traditions, since many non-religious individuals hold up the golden rule as central to their lives.

Yet, while it is extraordinarily important and widespread, the golden rule is often dismissed by scholars as a vague proverb that quickly leads to absurdities when one attempts to formulate it in clear terms. In this book, Harry J. Gensler defends the golden rule and addresses all of the major philosophic objections, pointing out several common misunderstanding and misapplications. Gensler first discusses golden-rule reasoning and how to avoid the main pitfalls. He then relates the golden rule to world religions and history, and to areas like moral education, egoism, evolution, society, racism, business, and medicine. The book ends with a discussion of theoretical issues (like whether all morality reduces to the golden rule, which the author argues against).

Ethics and the Golden Rule offers two introductory chapters, the first is simpler and the second more technical; a reader may start with either or both. One can then read any combination of further chapters, in any order, depending on one's interests; but Chapters 13 and 14 are technical and assume one has read Chapter 2. This is "a golden-rule book for everyone," accessible to a wide readership.

Reviews

Harry Gensler is an outstandingly clear teacher with a logical approach to the golden rule. In defense of the rule, he clarifies misunderstandings and refutes cheap attacks. And he adds practical wisdom, historical information, and diverse religious perspectives that make this book in many ways the new standard in English on the world's most widely shared moral principle.

Jeffrey Wattles, Kent State University

Harry Gensler has done outstanding and extremely important work on the Golden-Rule. He gives a compelling defense of the Golden-Rule. His work is very clear, very strongly argued, and highly original. This work is an outstanding contribution to ethical theory and has many important applications in applied/practical ethics.

Thomas Carson, Loyola University Chicago

Book Information
ISBN 9780415806879
Author Harry J Gensler
Format Paperback
Page Count 248
Imprint Routledge
Publisher Taylor & Francis Ltd
Weight(grams) 362g