Peace through the ethic of reciprocity

What does it take to achieve peace? I think the best answer on an individual level is to

The Good Samaritan painting by van Gogh
The Good Samaritan, Vincent van Gogh. Licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License (via Wikimedia Commons).

follow the ethic of reciprocity, the principle known as the Golden Rule.

This ethic of reciprocity is a version of Immanuel Kant’s categorical imperative, which says: “”Act only according to that maxim whereby you can at the same time will that it should become a universal law.”

All the major religions in the world have provided such guidance. For example, the Talmud (Shabbat 3id) says: “What is hateful to you, do not do to your fellowman. This is the entire Law; all the rest is commentary.”

The Christian Bible (Matthew 7:1) says: All things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye so to them; for this is the law and the prophets.”

In Islam, Mohammed’s message in the Sunnah is: “No one of you is a believer until he desires for his brother that which he desires for himself.”

In Buddhism, we find (Udana-Varga 5,): “Hurt not others in ways that you yourself would find hurtful.”

Dr. Kathie Malley-Morrison, Professor of Psychology

Note: This post was adapted from my previously published article in Peace Psychology (a publication of the American Psychological Association), Spring, 2009.