Comment by AIorNot
2 hours ago
Ignoring myth and belief differences
The purpose of the article and the story above was simple - you and I are the same ultimately
The golden rule is just that- when we recognize ourselves in others we act to minimize pain in others as we would to ourselves
Imagine the world as a one person play with each role played by the same person but in different costumes: you
I found it very hard to apply the golden rule as someone who was abused as a child. I don't care how I'm treated, so I can treat you in any way, however cruel.
By accident I discovered that if instead of imagining how you would feel if I did this bad thing to you, I imagined how the one person I loved would feel. Suddenly I had a working version of empathy, which I use to this day. I don't treat others as I would want to be treated - I treat them as I would want them to treat my loved one.
Felt bad hearing about your childhood but am really glad you found a way to get past it to start trusting people again. It must have been a difficult process for you but I am glad you shared your worldview with us - I find it more "selfless" than the golden rule.