Is Harm Ever Permissible?

Is Harm Ever Permissible?

Socrates, one of the greatest philosophers from ancient Greece, was a central figure in Western thought. In his work The Republic, Socrates examines various aspects of justice and morality. His philosophy often challenges conventional ideas, pushing people to question what they believe to be true. One particular argument Socrates makes is found in section 335b, where he says, “it is never just to harm anyone.”

In this section, Socrates reasons that if animals like horses or dogs become worse when they are harmed, then humans must also become worse when harmed. To him, justice means never inflicting harm because doing so diminishes a person’s virtue. He argues that good people encourage and uplift virtue in others, while causing harm only spreads more wickedness. This is the foundation of Socrates' belief that justice and harm are incompatible.

But, is harm truly something we can avoid? Can we really walk through life without causing or experiencing harm? While Socrates’ vision of justice is admirable, it doesn’t align with the reality of the human experience.

My Stance on Harm and Justice

I believe that avoiding harm altogether is unrealistic. We face harm daily—whether it be financial, physical, emotional, or even spiritual. Yah created us to be resilient, and through Him, we are meant to overcome. We are designed to endure through trials, as Yah has promised that His servants will prosper even through affliction.

In Proverbs 24:16 (KJV), it says, "For a just man falleth seven times, and riseth up again: but the wicked shall fall into mischief." This tells us that a righteous person doesn’t avoid harm, but rather rises above it. Adversity isn’t something we can escape; it’s part of our journey. It’s how we grow and we respond to it that truly matters.

Socrates describes a just man, but he implies that harm only leads to more harm. However, Yah teaches that through trials and adversity, we find strength. As Romans 5:3-4 (KJV) says, “...we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; And patience, experience; and experience, hope.” Yah does not promise a life without harm, but He does promise that through our trials, we will grow and find hope.

Harm as a Path to Yah's Harmony

Our hurt and our hardships are not without purpose. In fact, they are testimonies to Yah's greatness. While the light at the end of the tunnel may seem distant, it doesn’t mean it’s not there. We must keep pushing forward, displaying love, and refusing to let our pain cause pain to others. Bitter plus bitter only creates more bitterness. But when you add love—when you sweeten that bitterness with a little extra agave—the outcome is something sweet and sensational.

In James 1:12 (KJV), it says, “Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him.” Affliction is not meant to destroy us; it is meant to build us up. Yah strengthens us through these trials, turning our harm into His harmony.

Socrates’ argument that harm cannot be just ignores the reality that sometimes, we are meant to endure hardship in order to grow. Avoiding harm does not make us just—it is rising after each fall, turning harm into healing, and walking in Yah's strength that truly defines righteousness. As we face adversity, let us remember that “I can do all things through Christ which strengthens me” (Philippians 4:13, KJV). In Yah, we are strengthened, and through Him, we prevail.