my philosophy...

I've always been taught the Golden Rule as we all know it: Do unto others as you would have them do unto you. And for me, this rule really has proven to be golden. It is when I do this that things seem to work out because I don't hurt other people when the rule is in action. I've definitely tried to carry this lesson with me although sometimes I block it from my mind and act in ways not worthy of the rule. Overall though, this philosophy has stayed with me no matter how much (or how little) I've matured in the past years.

If I was to apply a single philosophy to myself, however, I would definitely say I am duty-based. Sometimes I have to pick between two important values, and my priorities for each change in different circumstances. It's not too irregular to be stuck with the options of either hurting a friend's feelings or lying. Whichever option seems like it will do the most good at the time is what I usually go with, using feeling to make my decision. I definitely agree with Ross's duty-based philosophy as well with the idea that people are born with an innate sense of right and wrong. I believe this because people can usually always tell when they are being wronged, so they can tell when they are hurting another as well.

I believe that following both the Golden Rule and the duty-based philosophy should not lead to many problems deciding between the two. Making my best decision based on values usually leads to doing to another what I would want him or her to do to me.