This presentation explore the connection between the Franciscan Tradition and The Golden Rule. It includes quotes from St. Francis of Assisi.

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

2. The Golden Rule (GR)
“Treat others as you want to be treated.”

3. 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.

4. Part 1
GR is a universal concept and global ethical
standard.

5. GR is a global standard
• GR is endorsed by nearly every religion.
• GR is endorsed by nearly every culture.

6. 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

7. Islam
“None of you has faith until you love for your
neighbor what you love for yourself.”
Prophet Muhammad

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

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

10. 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.

11. Part 2
Exploring GR’s Franciscan connection.

12. 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.

13. 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

14. 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 Assisi
Second Letter to the Faithful

15. 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

16. 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

17. 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

18. 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 Assisi
A Letter to a Minister

19. 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

20. 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 Assisi
The Admonitions

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

22. 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.

23. 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.

24. 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)

25. 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.

26. 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.

27. Using GR Wisely
• GR does not tell you what to do.
• It requires you to be:
- impartial
- consistent
- conscientious

28. Fallacies that undermine GR thinking
1) Literal GR
2) Soft GR
3) Doormat GR
4) Third-parties GR
5) Easy GR
6) Too-simple-or-too-complex GR

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

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

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

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

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

34. 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.

35. 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.)

36. 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?

37. 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)

38. Presentation Was Created By
Bob Golobish, OFS
People of Peace SFO fraternity
Indianapolis, IN
January, 2014