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RE: What Distinguishes Humankind
In my story, Samantha hates the idea of tomes of laws and rules and looks to find a single rule - and she evolves a way of thinking that is accepted by others. the rule is simpler than the 'love thy neighbour'.
It states "It is my duty to protect you from myself."
If everyone applies that rule, we do not need to worry about defending ourselves.
I think the "love thy neighbour as thyself" may be a little hazy because of the terminology used. I think it is a little more abstract way of putting is, but to my mind it says exactly the same.
Maybe it was written, or translated, this way to obscure it a little, perhaps to hide this powerful principle from the common people. Something people deliberately tend to overlook is the fact that the Bible as we know it was put together by a Roman emperor and that emperors are emperors. What emperor would want to loose control over his subjects by encouraging them to apply a simple principle in their own right, that will empower them to say no when he orders them to take up their swords?
As you imply, by applying only this law and by having all man made rules comply with this principle, we can have perfect order and peace in this world.
has almost nothing to do with the rule I advocated. Protecting others from me, if everyone follows that rule, means there is no one to fear or defend yourself from.
EDIT
Why I say this is because there are a great many people who do not love themselves - having them apply this rule you mention would be catastrophic to everyone else.
I see your point @arthur.grafo. You express exactly the desired limits on one's behavior in an unambiguous rule. Kudos for that!
I think the confusion here arises from the fact that there does not exist a word in English that can serve as a proper translation of the original Greek word "agapē" in this context. A more correct translation of what stands both in and between the lines of the original statement may read something like this: "have an unconditional respect for your neighbor's right to have a fulfilling life in the same sense as you expect an unconditional respect for your own right to have a fulfilling life", which is a very involved and clumsy statement, to say the least. This crude example of mine can certainly be improved upon, but I trust you get the drift.
Unfortunately the English word "love" has a selfish quality about it, especially in the popular tongue, more akin to 'desire', while the meaning of the original Greek "agapē", or 'unconditional love', leans more toward meaning 'unconditional respect' in this context.
My guess is that the translators chose to translate "agapē" with "love" in order not to lose the notion of 'compassionate empathy' for having a presence in the translated sentence, which would be the case ending up with just a stark military rule of behavior.
Just my guess. Please do not believe a single word I say, as my words are only those of a simple human being trying to find his way. You are welcome, however, to take whatever you hear or see to your inner room, where only your mind, your heart, your soul and your Maker are present, to judge what is right and what is wrong.
An interesting point you may not have heard.
Empathy in Greek is (?) empathia?
It certainly looks like the word Empathy comes from Empathia doesn't it...but
Empathia is exactly the opposite of Empathy. It means you have no empathy.
I wonder how that happened.
Interesting, thank you. Maybe 'compassion' would have been a better choice.