Confucius’ Quote: How '己所不欲，勿施于人' (What You Do Not Desire, Do Not Impose) Shapes Medical Oaths, AI Laws & Modern Morality
己所不欲，勿施于人。——孔子(jǐ suǒ bù yù, wù shī yú rén — Kǒngzǐ) Translation: “What you do not desire, do not impose upon others.”Explanation: This principle, known as the Silver Rule (the negative counterpart to the Golden Rule), forms a cornerstone of reciprocal ethics across global philosophical traditions. Attributed to Confucius in the 5th century BCE, it establishes moral boundaries through prohibition rather than prescription. Unlike Christianity’s proactive injunction to “love thy neighbor,” which urges affirmative benevolence, the Silver Rule carves out negative moral space—a framework of restraint that prioritizes avoiding harm over mandating virtue. By focusing on what not to do, it offers a minimalist yet universal ethical guideline, adaptable to diverse cultural and temporal contexts. The Silver Rule’s influence permeates two...
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