Detached9

Many people such as C.S. Lewis, will argue that the Golden Rule is the best method to deal with moral dilemmas.

My question is, where do you think the Golden Rule is not a great method to deal with moral dilemmas?

Lunatics? Masochists? etc...

DRFseven

I think the Golden Rule is a good method to use, and it is the method I use. Lunatics have a hard time making good use of any moral method since they are, after all, lunatics.

Detached9

I agree that the Golden Rule is a good method to use in most cases. I am wondering if people can find exceptions though.

For instance, should a masochist use the Golden Rule? A masochist would enjoy pain done unto themself, so via the golden rule they could conclude that everyone else would want pain done unto themselves.

jpbrooks

Well, there is some ambiguity in what would constitute the "everyone else" if the golden rule is applied in the case of masochism. I.e., would it refer to everyone (universally), or specifically only to every masochist?

[ March 02, 2002: Message edited by: jpbrooks ]</p>

99Percent

A masochist enjoys pain because of his own free will. The golden rule would have to apply likewise - ok, pain but because you/I want it.

DRFseven

If I ruled the universe, yes, everyone, including masochists, would use the Golden Rule in the sense that they would all try to be fair.

mac_philo

This is in accord with Nietzsche's attack on the Golden Rule.

The Golden Rule is the apex of living in bad faith. For the Christian, one derives pleasure and value from subjugation, fear, adherence to dogmatic strictures, ascetisism, etc. Thus the Golden Rule permits, nay obligates, one to force these oppressive values on others.

A true Christian would do unto others as others would have done unto themselves.

DRFseven

I haven't noticed that Golden-Rule-following Christians want to be oppressed, whether they are or not. I think they see themselves as championing a type of freedom for everyone.

brahma

"Do not do unto others as you would they should do unto you. Their tastes may not be the same."

G.B. Shaw
Man and Superman (1903) `Maxims for Revolutionists: The Golden Rule

Bill Snedden

I would agree. IMHO, Nietzsche's attack is off-point because it misses this fact. No-one, not even a masochist, desires pain or oppression. It is pleasure or freedom they desire; how they go about getting it might be different, but that's not the point.

Adherence to the golden rule for a masochist does not mean giving pain to others; rather it would mean giving pleasure, just as he himself would experience through pain.

Personally, I think that the so-called Golden Rule may represent a truly universal moral principle (or the closest thing of which I can imagine). I can't immediately think of any situation in which it couldn't be applied.

Regards,

Bill Snedden