In Memoriam W.A.Y.

page 2 of 5

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Morality is concerned with questions of right and wrong. In the barest terms, the issue is "How should you behave toward your neighbor?" Here are the formulations of this question in different world philosophies and religions:

The Greek philosopher Socrates stated,
"What stirs your anger when done to you by others,
that do not do to others."

The Stoic philosopher Epictetus said,
"What you would avoid suffering yourself, seek not to impose on others."

Confucianism:
"Do not do to others what you would not have them to do to you."
Also, "What you do not wish upon yourself, extend not to others."

Hinduism:
"Do not unto others which would cause you pain if done to you."

Buddhism:
"Hurt not others in ways that you yourself would find hurtful."

Zoroastrianism:
"Whatever is disagreeable to yourself do not do unto others."

Judaism:
"What thou thyself hatest do to no man."

Jewish Rabbi Hillel taught,
"What is hateful to you, do not do to your neighbor."

Islam:
"Hurt no one so that no one may hurt you."

Jesus taught,
"Do unto others as you would have others do unto you."
This is a positive inversion of the normal formula, one I find compelling.

The German philosopher Kant tried to formulate a purely rational moral system without religion. His "categorical imperative" states, "Act only in accordance with that maxim through which you can at the same time will that it become a universal law." This is just a reformulation of "Do unto others as you would have others do unto you" two thousand years late.