Genesis of the Golden Rule.

Abstract

We know the Golden Rule of morality from ancient literary sources in different versions.
Comparing them on the basis of philosophical and normative-ethical conception one can
reconstruct its normative dynamics. In this article the genesis of the Golden Rule is represented
in six stages – from non-verbalized particular communicative experience (Homer) via verbalized
particular communicative experience (Ahiqar), normatively generalized (Moses), normatively
neutral refl ection on the experience of reciprocity (Aristotle), to particular normative
generalization (Tobit) and universal normative generalization – in negative (Confucius, Hillel)
and positive (Jesus) formulas.