connecting the franciscan tradition to the golden rule

Connecting the Franciscan Tradition to The Golden Rule by Bob Golobish, OFS

The Golden Rule (GR)

“Treat others as you want to be treated.”

This Presentation Has Three Parts

1) GR is a universal concept and global ethical standard.

2) Explore GR’s Franciscan connection.

3) GR can be used by kindergarteners and mature, thoughtful adults.

Part 1

GR is a universal concept and global ethical standard.

GR is a global standard

• GR is endorsed by nearly every religion.

• GR is endorsed by nearly every culture.

Judaism

“What is hateful to yourself, do not do to another. That is the whole Torah. The rest is commentary. Go and learn.”

Rabbi Hillel

Islam

“None of you has faith until you love for your neighbor what you love for yourself.”

Prophet Muhammad

Hinduism

“One should never do to another what one regards as hurtful to one’s own self.”

Vyasa

Christianity

“Therefore, treat others as you want to be treated, for this sums up the Law and the prophets.”

Jesus Christ

GR Variations

• There are many formulations of GR and the formulations are related.

• GR is a family of ideas about how we should treat each other, including ourselves.

Part 2

Exploring GR’s Franciscan connection.

St. Francis’ Writings

• St. Francis didn’t write a lot, but yet he evokes GR seven (7) times in his writings.

• In four (4) of those instances he includes a same-situation clause. This is important.

Love Your Neighbor

“All those who love the Lord with their whole heart, with their whole soul and mind, with their whole strength and love their neighbor as themselves….”

St. Francis of Assisi

First Letter to the Faithful &SFO Rule

Show Mercy to His Brothers

“And let him have and show mercy to each of his brothers as he would want them to do to him were he in a similar position.”

St. Francis of AssisiSecond Letter to the Faithful

How to Behave Toward Each Other

“Let them behave among themselves according to what the Lord says: Do to others what you would have them do to you; and Do not do to another what you would not have done to you.”

St. Francis of Assisi

Earlier Rule

Treating Those Who Fall Short

“Let the minister, on his part, endeavor to provide for them as he would wish to be provided for him were he in a similar postion.”

St. Francis of Assisi

Earlier Rule

Service to a Sick Brother (1)

“If any of the brothers fall sick, whenever he may be, let the other brothers not leave him behind unless one the brothers...is designated to serve him as they would want to be served themselves.”

St. Francis of Assisi

Earlier Rule

Custodian Provides Mercy

“And let that custodian provide for him with mercy as he would wish to to be provided where he in a similar position.”

St. Francis of AssisiA Letter to a Minister

Service to a Sick Brother (2)

Service to a sick brother:

“When any brother falls sick, the other brothers must serve him as they would wish to be served themselves.”

St. Francis of Assisi

Later Rule

Support of a Neighbor

“Blessed is the person who supports his neighbor in his weakness as he would want to be supported were he in a similar situation.”

St. Francis of AssisiThe Admonitions

Part 3

GR can be used by kindergarteners and mature, thoughtful adults.

Objections to GR

• As a guide for action, taking GR literally leads to a number of problems and so• GR is often dismissed as being something for children, but not for adults with their complex problems.

Addressing GR Objections

Harry J. Gensler, S.J., is a contemporary American philosopher who has published twelve books on ethics and logic and has had a lifetime passion for GR. He modified GR to overcome objections.

Literal GR | Gensler’s GR

Literal GR: “Treat others as you want to be treated.”

Gensler’s GR: “Treat others only as you consent to being treated in the same situation.” (emphasis added)

Same-situation Clause

• When the same-situation clause is added, GR becomes a more useful guide for interactions with others.• Recall that St. Francis included a same-situation clause four (4) times. That’s significant.• St. Francis was the first to include a same-situation clause in a formulation of GR. That’s noteworthy!• Gensler’s GR with its same-situation clause still needs some help, however. Gensler proposes KITA.

Using GR Wisely | KITA

• Know: “How would my action affect others?”

• Imagine: What would it be like to have this done to me in the same situation?

• Test for consistency: “Am I now willing that if I were in the same situation then this be done to me?”

• Act toward others only as you’re willing to be treated in the same situation.

Using GR Wisely

• GR does not tell you what to do. • It requires you to be:

- impartial- consistent- conscientious

Fallacies that undermine GR thinking

1) Literal GR2) Soft GR3) Doormat GR4) Third-parties GR5) Easy GR6) Too-simple-or-too-complex GR

Literal GR Fallacy

The literal GR fallacy assumes that everyone has the same likes, dislikes, and needs that we have.

Soft GR Fallacy

The soft GR fallacy assumes that we should never act against what others want.

Doormat GR Fallacy

The doormat GR fallacy assumes that we should ignore our own interests.

Third-parties GR Fallacy

The third-parties GR fallacy assumes that we should consider only ourselves and the other person.

Easy GR Fallacy

The easy GR fallacy assumes that GR gives an infallible test of right and wrong that takes only seconds to apply.

Too-simple-or-too-complex GR Fallacy

The too-simple-or-too-complex fallacy assumes GR is too simple to be useful or it is too complex to be useful.

Summary

• GR is widespread and global. It is the basis for inter-religious dialogue. (This is happening and needs to be encouraged.)• GR has strong Franciscan roots. (This is not well known and needs to be shared.)• GR can can be used by kindergarteners and by mature, thoughtful adults. (This is happening and needs to be encouraged.)

Discussion Questions

• When did you first learn GR?• When was the last time you heard an adult mention GR?• Do you think GR can help adults deal with their complex problems?• Do you think GR can help you love your neighbor?

Sources For Presentation

• Part 1 and 3 of presentation: Ethics and the Golden Rule, by Harry J. Gensler, S.J. (2013)

• Part 2 of presentation: Francis of Assisi: Early Documents, Volume 1, by Regis Armstrong OFM Cap., J.A. Wayne Hellman, OFM Conv., William J. Short, OFM (1999)

Presentation Was Created By

Bob Golobish, OFSPeople of Peace SFO fraternityIndianapolis, IN

January, 2014