Potential Problems with The Golden Rule

"Treat others as you'd have them treat you?"

There are three fundamental problems with that approach:

1. You have absolutely no reason to disagree with someone who counter argues that they shouldn't abide by that rule. If truth is relative, and that's their truth, then it's legitimate.

Correct. I wouldn't disagree with them, I would ask them "would you like to be punched in the face?" Assuming their truthful answer is "no" then we could have a discussion about the innate values of treating others as you wish to be treated. If they truthfully said "yes" then the conversation ends there as the solution "Treat others ..." does not work with them. If they lied in their answer then we can also move no further as "Treat others ..." requires honesty. So I don't see this as a fundamental problem with "Treat others ..." assuming the person has integrity and is not a masochist. I believe the issue is more a problem with the person on the receiving end of "Treat others ..." in this scenario, the Golden Rule requires change on the part of these individuals, ultimately whether they will change or not depends on whether they see the benefit to not being hurt.

2. People are quite capable of violating that while believing with all their hearts they're abiding by it. I've seen it. A million times.

Again "Treat others ..." requires honesty and being able to objectively look at one's actions. This is just a problem of education on the part of the individual who is attempting to "Treat others ..."

3. It assumes that both parties have comparable desires about how to be treated. I've witnessed on many occasions people being quite argumentative with other people. Why? Because they seem to relish arguments. They're abiding by the rule, according to their wish about how to be treated ... but making the other person miserable. I've seen that. I've been the recipient of that ... countless times.

I believe this is a communications problem, not something inherently wrong with "Treat others ..." It's also an education issue on the part of the receiver this time, the receiving person in this case needs to learn how to express themselves in such a way that they avoid becoming miserable when dealing with an argumentative type.

Generally I believe that to implement the Golden Rule throughout humanity would take a lot of effort and change on the part of people - but I see no inhibitors to it, I'm looking for a common goal that everyone can share in regardless of their religion.

+++

There are lots of other points I'd like to respond to on your last few posts and will do so later !