In referring to “a mind . . . thinking well,” Kreon must be referring to himself. In his own judgment, the defense he has mounted against Oidipous’s charges shows that he is thinking clearly. If he is, then it stands to reason that he would not engage in behavior that could be judged “bad.” This conclusion is based on the assumption that reasoning is a key determinant of morality, that the qualities of good and evil are predicated upon reasoning (φρονῶν) well or poorly. The use of the word κακός (“bad” here in relation to νούς, “mind”), however, again recalls its previous uses in reference to Oidipous’s moral character as defined by his doing or not doing as the god sets forth. If Oidipous is bad, as his treatment at the hands of the god strongly suggests, his punishment should be a consequence of his thinking badly—probably in regard to the gods. [Mpea] [P] [Aj] Given the audience’s belief that its own greatest asset (like Oidipous’s) lies in its ability to think well, Kreon’s assertion implies that it is not thinking as well as it cares to believe. [Mp] Indeed, its faulty thinking is endangering the city along with its hold on Greek hegemony. [Mw] [Mg]