Love Thy Neighbor
Details
Love thy neighbor as thyself" and "treat others as you wish to be treated"—known as the second greatest commandment and the Golden Rule, these principles are agreed upon across various cultures, beliefs, and social systems. But what do they truly mean? Is there something fundamentally valuable in this beyond a rule we follow to keep the peace? Is there something fundamentally lost when we violate it?
In this discussion, we will explore the concept of love, who it extends to, and whether there is a right and wrong way to treat others—and why.
- What does it mean to love someone?
- Who is our neighbor?
- Is there a right and wrong way to treat them?
- Are there circumstances when we should treat others differently than how we would want to be treated?
- Can an action be loving if it means treating someone in a way they do not want to be treated?
- Are both aforementioned sayings asking the same thing of us?
What is a Socratic Circle?
A Socratic circle is a space to share and discuss ideas for the purpose of arriving at the truth—or at the very least, removing falsehood from our own perspective so we can better understand what we are seeking.
Structure
- First 15 minutes: Coffee + casual social time
- 75–90 minutes: Socratic-style group conversation (no lectures, just inquiry)
- Final 10–15 minutes: Socialize
> "To love another person is to help that person love God."
> —Søren Kierkegaard
Suggested donation: $5-$10