The Golden Rule Thieves: Tracing "Bicycle Thieves" through a Confucian Lens

Abstract

One's own wishes for oneself not to be treated by others, commonly known as the Golden Rule, has been a fundamental moral cornerstone in both Christian and Confucian traditions for millennia. However, in Vittorio De Sica's neorealist masterpiece "Bicycle Thieves," this rule is seemingly violated by the protagonist Antonio, who resorts to stealing a bicycle despite his aversion to being a victim of such an act. This paper examines how the moral illusion of universal justice and the diminishing interpersonal care within the film's narrative contribute to the theft, thereby undermining the Golden Rule. By analyzing the film from Confucian perspective, this study highlights the significance of relative justice grounded in embodied empathy and interpersonal care in modern moral dilemmas, suggesting the need for a renewed commitment to the Golden Rule in contemporary society.

Keywords: Golden Rule, Bicycle Thieves, universal justice, interpersonal care