Final answer:
The one rule I would make mandatory worldwide is the Golden Rule, which is to treat others as you wish to be treated. This moral principle fosters basic liberties, rights, and equitable treatment, drawing parallels with the necessity of traffic rules for organized transportation. Its global acceptance would require a shift in thinking, education, ethical leadership, and potentially global cooperation.
Step-by-step explanation:
If I could make one rule that everyone in the world had to follow, it would be to adhere to the Golden Rule: treat others as you wish to be treated yourself. This principle has been echoed across various cultures and religions for centuries and provides a firm foundation for moral behavior and interpersonal relations. By following this rule, individuals would naturally grant each other basic liberties and rights, and promote actions that would benefit the least well off, leading to a more equitable and compassionate world. It reflects the essential need for moral rules which enable us to live in a civilized, social world where we can make plans, leave belongings unattended, and trust others.
Considering the importance of moral codes for the sustainability of a social and civilized life, similar to how traffic rules are needed to prevent chaos on the roads, the implementation of the Golden Rule would foster an environment where people could coexist peacefully, cooperate, and flourish. This rule would encourage honesty and integrity, as expressed through Kant’s universal law formulation of the categorical imperative, which promotes actions that could apply universally without resulting in contradiction or societal collapse. However, achieving global acceptance of this rule could be a complex endeavor. It might require a paradigm shift in global thinking, education, and perhaps some form of global cooperation or agreement, if not necessarily a global government. The guidance of honorable and ethical leadership would play a crucial role in this, as suggested by Confucius, who emphasized the influence of the ruler's integrity on the morality of the people. Thus, emphasizing the Golden Rule could help us take a significant step toward a world marked by fairness, empathy, and cooperative living.