I thought as SOCrates was on tour at the moment this might raise a smile
Phil
Greek Philosophical Test………………………..
Keep this in mind the next time you are about to repeat a rumour or spread gossip.
In ancient Greece (469 - 399 BC), Socrates was widely lauded for his wisdom.
One day an acquaintance ran up to him excitedly and said,"Socrates, do you know what I just heard about Diogenes?"
"Wait a moment," Socrates replied, "Before you tell me I'd like you to pass a little test. It's called the Triple Filter Test."
'Triple filter?" asked the acquaintance.
"That's right," Socrates continued, "Before you talk to me aboutDiogenes let's take a moment to filter what you're going to say. The first filter is Truth. Have you made absolutely sure thatwhat you are about to tell me is true?"
"No," the man said, "Actually I just heard about it."
"All right," said Socrates, "So you don't really know if it's trueor not. Now let's try the second filter, the filter of Goodness. Iswhat you are about to tell me about Diogenes something good?"
"No, on the contrary..."
"So," Socrates continued, "You want to tell me something aboutDiogenes that may be bad, even though you're not certain it'strue?"
The man shrugged, a little embarrassed. Socrates continued, "Youmay still pass the test though, because there is a third filter,the filter of Usefulness. Is what you want to tell me aboutDiogenes going to be useful to me?"
"No, not really."
"Well," concluded Socrates, "If what you want to tell me is neitherTrue nor Good nor even Useful, why tell it to me or anyone at all?"
The man was bewildered and ashamed. This is an example of whySocrates was a great philosopher and held in such high esteem.
To be fair it also explains why Socrates never found out that Diogenes wasshagging his wife.
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