Golden rules and silver rules of humanity

The Golden and Silver Rules are ubiquitous, obvious, simple, and ancient; and yet, there is no deep complete theory underlying the precepts. They are self- evident universal doctrinal principles of ethics found throughout the history of civilization in one form or another. Only recently have near comprehensive books, chapters, or articles appeared; and yet there is still no deep overall theory upon which all the precepts are grounded or based except partially for  modern work in formal logic or the ethics of reciprocity.  Although one might defer either to the authority of Confucius or Buddha, or mysticism of Jesus, or the philosophy of Socrates, it is not until Mencius in the east, and St. Augustine, and I. Kant in the west, that we find learned treatments of these precepts. These sagacious personages however sought no more than to modify or expand, in some partial manner, the actual interpersonal ethical principles.