"Love your neighbour as yourself"
resonates as law and practice in many if not all traditions world-wide, not only as (abstract) 'measure' but also as (existential) identification. It was coined as "
Golden Rule
" for human behaviour in 17th century England, symptomatic of the new consciousness of the time, conceptually and globally, enlightenment and colonialism.
This book, a study and anthology, is a reflection on the historical and philosophical contexts in which this 'rule' originated, developed, in recent times became marginalised and how attempts are made to restore this rule as a universal guide for human beings to live together as individuals, communities, societies with one another and with our fellow creatures in nature and the earth.
Henk Bak is a historian, philosopher, and activist for nature, reconciliation and peace. He moved to Australia from his native Netherlands in 1978 and taught history and philosophy of craft, art and design at Monash University until his retirement in 1996. He has promoted Steiner education in Australia and pioneered ethical investment as founding director, Victoria, of the 'Southern Cross Capital Exchange'. Since 2007 he has been conducting the
meditative walks
, at his property in Trentham, that form the basis for this text.