Humanist Golden Rule: Elicit the best in others and you will elicit the best in yourself

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Acting to bring out the best in others leads to bringing out the best in ourselves. Focusing on empowering others to fulfill their potential is essential for us to elicit the best in ourselves. The moral principle is that we all collectively rise when we empower others. This rule is advocated for in personal lives, communities, and at global organizations like the United Nations.

Is the Golden Rule overly idealistic and vague? Don’t we have to consider the issue of power? Tokens of generosity may be a good thing, but they don’t address the profound inequality in society. Some say that the “real” golden rule is, “Whoever has the gold makes the rules.” How do we respond to Kwame Anthony Appiah, who writes The Ethicist in the New York Times, who thinks that the Golden Rule doesn’t go far enough in embracing the uniqueness of every person? We need to empower others and give them space and autonomy and encouragement and… resources. Only then does the sacred nature of the Golden Rule arise.