The Golden Rule is intolerable; if millions did to others whatever they wished others to do to them, few would be safe from molestation. The Golden Rule shows anything but moral genius, and the claim by which it is followed in the Sermon on the Mount -- 'this is the Law and the Prophets' -- makes little sense. Walter Kaufmann
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The Golden Rule is intolerable; if millions did to others whatever they wished others to do to them, few would be safe from molestation. The Golden Rule shows anything but moral genius, and the claim by which it is followed in the Sermon on the Mount -- 'this is the Law and the Prophets' -- makes little sense. Philosophers and theologians alike have long recognized that the Golden Rule is mostly an empty platitude; we should treat our fellow man better than he treats us because we should not want to hurt him. But, if we actually did what Jesus said, we would not be able to get along with each other at all. In other words, the Golden Rule really means that you should do whatever you want to other people because they will do whatever they want to you.

Source: Without Guilt And Justice: From Decidophobia To Autonomy

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