The Silver Rule
Version 1.0.0 · Updated 2026-07-28
CORE DEFINITION
The Silver Rule is the negative form of the Golden Rule: 'Do not do unto others what you do not want done unto you.' It sets 'not causing harm' as the baseline, which is weaker than actively doing good but easier to reach consensus on as an ethical principle.
SCAFFOLDING EFFECT
Reduce cognitive load
In a pluralistic society, use the Silver Rule as the minimum consensus baseline (do no harm). Use it to define the boundary of concession when values conflict. In governance, base actions on 'non-infringement'.
Anchor fast decisions
The Silver Rule is the negative form of the Golden Rule: 'Do not do unto others what you do not want done unto you.' It sets 'not causing harm' as the baseline, which is weaker than actively doing good but easier to reach consensus on as an ethical principle.
MINIMUM ACTION
In progress 0/1Practice this model in one real situation:
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Source support: Explicit
- en.wikipedia.orghttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Golden_Ruleverified
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