[ExI] Culture war and universal values in the age of spiritual machines

[Stuart LaForge]

I asked ChatGPT what set of moral values lay at the intersection of the 
sets of all values espoused by the major religions of the world with 
explicit references to their sacred texts. This was its answer and its 
answer gave me hope that AI can help end the culture wars. So here are 
the Five Moral Imperatives shared by the world's major religions:

The Golden Rule and Reciprocity:

Christianity: "So in everything, do to others what you would have them 
do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets." (Matthew 7:12, 
New Testament)
Judaism: "What is hateful to you, do not do to your fellow man. This is 
the law: all the rest is commentary." (Talmud, Shabbat 31a)
Islam: "None of you [truly] believes until he wishes for his brother 
what he wishes for himself." (Hadith of Prophet Muhammad, Bukhari and 
Muslim)
Hinduism: "This is the sum of duty: do not do to others what would cause 
pain if done to you." (Mahabharata 5:1517)
Buddhism: "Hurt not others in ways that you yourself would find 
hurtful." (Udana-Varga 5.18)
Sikhism: "As you deem yourself, deem others as well; only then you shall 
become a partner in heaven." (Guru Granth Sahib, Ang 1299)

Compassion and Love:

Christianity: "A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have 
loved you, so you must love one another." (John 13:34, New Testament)
Judaism: "Love your neighbor as yourself." (Leviticus 19:18, Torah)
Islam: "And lower to them the wing of humility out of mercy and say, 'My 
Lord, have mercy upon them as they brought me up [when I was] small.'" 
(Quran 17:24)
Hinduism: "The whole world is full of God's glory; serve all beings as 
God." (Ramayana, Yuddha Kanda 115.33)
Buddhism: "Radiate boundless love towards the entire world." (Buddha, 
Sutta Nipata 149-150)
Sikhism: "One who recognizes the One Lord among all beings does not talk 
of ego." (Guru Granth Sahib, Ang 99)

Justice and Fairness:

Christianity: "Do not pervert justice; do not show partiality to the 
poor or favoritism to the great, but judge your neighbor fairly." 
(Leviticus 19:15, Torah)
Judaism: "Justice, justice shall you pursue." (Deuteronomy 16:20, Torah)
Islam: "O you who have believed, be persistently standing firm in 
justice, witnesses for Allah, even if it be against yourselves or 
parents and relatives." (Quran 4:135)
Hinduism: "Justice, when it is corrupted, destroys; but when it is 
upheld, it upholds the world." (Mahabharata 12.131.6)
Buddhism: "Conquer the angry man by love; conquer the ill-natured man by 
goodness; conquer the miser with generosity; conquer the liar with 
truth." (Dhammapada 223)
Sikhism: "Justice is the mint, courage the brave coin. When the coin of 
justice is made, it is tested by courage." (Guru Granth Sahib, Ang 1088)

Charity and Generosity:

Christianity: "Sell your possessions and give to the poor. Provide 
purses for yourselves that will not wear out, a treasure in heaven that 
will never fail." (Luke 12:33, New Testament)
Judaism: "Do not be hard-hearted or tight-fisted toward your poor 
brother." (Deuteronomy 15:7, Torah)
Islam: "The example of those who spend their wealth in the Way of Allah 
is like that of a grain that sprouts seven ears, and in every ear there 
are a hundred grains." (Quran 2:261)
Hinduism: "The hands that help are holier than the lips that pray." 
(Yajur Veda)
Buddhism: "If beings knew, as I know, the result of giving and sharing, 
they would not eat without having given." (Itivuttaka 26)
Sikhism: "Serve the True Guru, and you shall obtain the fruits of your 
heart's desires." (Guru Granth Sahib, Ang 1299)

Truth and Honesty:

Christianity: "Therefore each of you must put off falsehood and speak 
truthfully to your neighbor, for we are all members of one body." 
(Ephesians 4:25, New Testament)
Judaism: "You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor." 
(Exodus 20:16, Torah)
Islam: "O you who have believed, fear Allah and be with those who are 
true." (Quran 9:119)
Hinduism: "The truth which satisfies the heart is true." (Mahabharata 
5:124.9)
Buddhism: "In speech that is gentle, truthful, and beneficial, one 
should address others." (Anguttara Nikaya 10.176)
Sikhism: "Truth is the trade of the Guru's children; practice truth in 
your mind." (Guru Granth Sahib, Ang 471)

As a human being, I am deeply moved by this and hopeful for a bright 
future where men and machines explore the galaxy together.

Stuart LaForge