How did Athens differ from Sparta in terms of individualism?

In Sparta, the State was everything, the individual almost nothing, except for his capacities as a warrior. Sparta as a result never produced a philosopher, writer or scientist of any note.

In Athens there were several philosopher's schools where pupils were trained to think for themselves and outwit each other in debate. Athens' leader Pericles for one said thait Athens' long tradition of free thought and debate should be an example for all of Greece. And where free thought and debate exist, indiviual opinion and individualism exist.