20180508-Michael Chugani 褚簡寧:Law of Reciprocity

Michael Chugani 褚簡寧:Law of Reciprocity
2018-05-08


  Do unto others as you would have them do unto you. Jesus said this but a similar saying is found in many other religions. In simple English it means treat others in the same way that you want others to treat you. For example, if you want people to help you if you fall down while on an MTR train, then you should help them too when they need help. This is called the Golden Rule in many religions. Is it possible Jesus did not intend this Golden Rule to apply to Hong Kong? Maybe he knew it would not work here. I, therefore, think you can choose not to do unto others as you would have them do unto you.

  If you see an elderly or disabled person on a bus or an MTR train, do not offer your seat. Continue to doze (sleep, nap) or play with your mobile phone. The MTR should replace all priority seats for the needy with seats for people to play with their mobile phones. When you enter an MTR train, stand by the entrance and play with your mobile phone. It doesn’t matter that this will block others from entering. If you are a parent, teach your children to rush into a train and get a seat. When you enter an elevator (lift), press the “door close” button before people behind you can get in. When you open the door to enter a building, do not hold it open for people behind you.

  All these things are already happening here. It is Hong Kong’s own Golden Rule. This rule allows you to ignore, scold, or insult anyone who asks you to give an elderly person your MTR seat. But the Golden Rule that many religions share is also known as the Law of Reciprocity. The word “reciprocity” means giving the same things or help others have given you.

  If you follow Hong Kong’s Golden Rule, the Law of Reciprocity will not apply to you. Do not expect others to help when you are in trouble. Do not complain if no one helps your children, elderly parents, or you in times of need.

*****

  Do unto others as you would have them do unto you. 耶穌說過這句話,在其他宗教也有類近的格言。簡單來說它的意思就是:你願意別人怎樣待你,你也要怎樣待人。譬如,你在港鐵車廂上跌倒時若想有人扶你一把,那別人需要幫忙時你也應該施以援手。這個原則在許多宗教中也是金科玉律。但有沒有可能,耶穌並沒打算要在香港應用此一金科玉律?或許他知道這在香港並不管用。因此,我認為你可以選擇不去「推己及人」(do unto others as you would have them do unto you)。

  你在巴士或港鐵車廂上遇見一位長者或傷殘人士,不要讓座,繼續打瞌睡(doze)或玩手機吧。港鐵應為那些玩手機的人設立專屬座位,來取替關愛座。你上了港鐵車廂之後,站在車門處玩手機吧,即使阻擋到別人上車也沒有關係。若你是個家長,教導子女衝進車廂搶座位吧。當你走進了升降機(elevator),在後面的人進來前就按「關門」掣吧。當你開門進大廈時,不要拉着門方便後方要進來的人。

  這一切已然在這個地方上演,這就是香港自己的金科玉律。這條金科玉律讓你能忽視、責備或侮辱任何在港鐵上請求你讓座予老人的人。然而,許多宗教共通的這一條金科玉律,也叫「互惠原則」(Law of Reciprocity)。Reciprocity的意思是互換或互助。

  若你追隨香港的金科玉律,那互惠原則(Law of Reciprocity)對你來說也不適用。你遇到困難時,不要指望別人會幫助你。你的子女、年長父母或你自己在需要幫忙時沒有人出手相助,你就別抱怨了。


中譯:七刻

mickchug@gmail.com

中譯:七刻

Michael Chugani 褚簡寧

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