In his defense (Apology), Socrates argues that if the court unjustly condemns him for the way he lives and questions things in Athens, the court will be hurting itself and the city of Athens more than hurting Socrates. Socrates believes that when we wrong others we hurt them but the greater harm is done to ourselves.

Let's discuss this idea and its implications in this week's forum. Answer any two of the following three questions:

[1] Socrates' argument that injustice harms both parties (both the one receiving the injuistce and the one administering it) is based on his belief that we have a physical and a non-physical self (he calls it soul or pysche), both of which can be harmed by injustice. Do you agree with Socrates idea? Why or why not?

[2] Socrates had a passionate belief that it is better to suffer wrong than it is to do wrong to another. Share what you've learned of Socrates from his Apology/Defence with a family member or friend and ask them what they think about this belief of Socrates about it being better to suffer wrong than to do wrong. What do you think of this belief?

[3] What about a soul, psyche, or spirit belonging to a group of people? How might a group have a kind of soul or collective spirit? Is there really an "American spirit" and has it been damaged or harmed? If so, by what, and how does it show?