persia and the golden rule

my paper has two parts. first, i talk about the golden rule. after introducing the rule and its global importance, i explain why many scholars dismiss it as a vague proverb that leads to absurdities when we try to formulate it clearly. i defend the golden rule against such objections. second, i talk about the golden rule in persia and islam; i consider persian sources (muslim and non-muslim) and also non-persian muslim sources. i show that the golden rule is deeply rooted in persia and islam. and i point out special ways that this tradition’s understanding of the golden rule can contribute to those outside this tradition.