Reply #3: Well, THAT's a very cool thought you have .....

[DustMolecule]

If you love someone you will feel the effects of that love. If you comfort someone you will feel that comfort as well. But if you kick your dog you will feel his pain. If you feed the hungry you will feel their gratitude. If you allow a child to starve, you will feel her pain.

There's only one problem with it. It would still be rooted in 'self-interest'. (i.e., I won't do such-and-such because it will cause ME pain/suffering.) There's the higher thought that "even though it may cause me 'pain/suffering/discomfort'...I'm gonna do it anyway b/c it's the 'right' thing to do. I love my fellow man more than I love my own self-interest."