Silver rule
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Related to the ethical principle of the golden rule, the silver rule states "Do no harm." (The Life Principles, Robert J. Spitzer, S.J., Ph.D. 1999).
It is often attributed to the Hippocratic Oath, and used in medical discussions. However, it is not found in the Hippocratic Oath, but a similar statement was made by Hippocrates in his Epidemics, Bk. I, Sect. XI. One translation reads: "Declare the past, diagnose the present, foretell the future; practice these acts. As to diseases, make a habit of two things — to help, or at least to do no harm."
It is also referred to as a summary of passive reciprocity which is taught by Hindu, Buddism, and Muslim teachings. Passive reciprocity is "Do not do to others what you do not want done to yourself." It is some people's opinion that this teaching lacks the compassion or empathy of the golden rule, and as the valuation of the metal would imply, it is generally deemed less civil. It is another group's opinion that the Golden Rule is a logical fallacy, in that it negates the receiver's needs or beliefs. The Silver Rule, however, encompasses all beliefs.
The idea is that personal preferences are extreme, and while one person enjoys something, another person may abhor it. Milton said in one man's heaven is another man's hell.
For example:
If I enjoy beer, I would purchase one for another under the golden rule. But that negates the possibility that the receiver doesn't drink, or is allergic to alcohol.
The Silver Rule has been championed by Gandhi and Martin Luther King alike as a way to compensate for the Golden Rule's myopic shortcomings.
