The basic meaning of the golden rule insists on treating others fairly and with respect. It has been essential for community development because it goes against our natural, evolutionary make-up of 'the survival of the fittest'. As communities were formed, implementation of the Golden Rule increased happiness and reduced problems - it was the 'Living in a Community' principle and prime 'law' which formed the basis of many customs and traditions.
The book provides research, facts, stories, and ideas with opportunities to increase personal happiness. Many people benefit from instantaneous gestures to other people. The principle encourages thought, caring, sharing and awareness of the needs and feelings of others, treating them fairly and with respect. In the 1930's American pilot, Amelia Earhart, said "No kind action ever stops with itself. One kind action leads to another" and frequently benefits the giver as well as the receiver. "It throws our roots in all directions, and the roots spring up and make new trees". The act can be instantaneous, but the rewards long-lasting.
The Golden Rule also highlights how the principle has been diluted in many modern societies. Many people take advantage of their community by taking more than they give. They do not contribute fairly, to provide the maximum possible caring, sharing, happy life for everyone. Wealth has been distributed unequally and sometimes obtained unfairly at the expense and hardship of others. In far too many cases this has resulted in the extermination of many species and a decrease in biodiversity.
Perhaps not surprisingly, in the over 50 examples discussed in the book, problems could be reduced and the quality of life enhanced if the consequences of taking selfish actions were considered. The book provides reasons and research explaining the abuses which may have helped instigate the Covid-19 pandemic and on a 20,000 year term may be feeding a massive change to Earth, instigated by a new mass extinction.
Within human society there is the complete range of lifestyles, from living entirely based on the Golden Rule through to living without any interest or concern for anyone else. In many traditional communities, there remains no choice - if you belong to the community, you live based on the golden rule. Their customs and traditions were designed to give the community the support they wanted and needed to live in the community. It appears possible that the resultant lifestyle - which may have existed for 100,000 years, was described in stories such as Genesis and the Garden of Eden.
There are many cultures which have adjusted the basic rule and by mutual consent have allowed degrees of reward and incentives whilst enjoying the high-quality life seen in communities prioritising the golden rule principles. The change to wealth-based communities has rarely involved any consultation with the masses and for most people, life is what it is, with some taking more, supported by those given less, whilst everyone unknowingly incurs a lower quality of life.
The prime purpose of this book is to highlight the changes that have been dictated to communities by those prioritising wealth, greed, and selfishness. Human progress has been very dependant on development, but it needs to be balanced with fair reward within a golden rule compliant community, to increase happiness for the maximum number of people.
The Golden Rule is intended to highlight that changes have occurred since the glory days when the principle was part of everyday life - as it still is in many traditional societies. It doesn't need to be excluded and you can adopt it for personal benefit or for the community. Like most worthwhile things it isn't always easy, but personal contributions can be extremely valuable.
