The Triple Filter Test
December 11th 2006 17:56
Category: Wisdom Of The Aged
In ancient Greece, scholar and intellectual, Socrates was reputed to hold knowledge in high esteem. One day an acquaintance met the great philosopher and said,
"Do you know what I just heard about one of your friend?"
"Hold on a minute," Socrates replied. "Before telling me anything I'd like you to pass a little test. It's called the Triple Filter Test."
"Triple filter?" asked the man.
"That's right," Socrates continued.
"Before you talk to me about my friend, it might be a good idea to take a moment and filter what you're going to say. That's why I call it the triple filter test. The first filter is Truth. Have you made absolutely sure that what you are about to tell me is true?"
"No," the man said, "actually I just heard about it and wanted to tell it to you"
"All right," said Socrates. " So you don't really know if it's true or not. Now let's try the second filter, the filter of goodness. Is what you are about to tell me about my friend something good?"
"No, on the contrary, it is bad "
"So," Socrates continued, "you want to tell me something bad about him, but you're not certain it's true. You may still pass the test though, Because there's one filter left: the filter of usefulness. Is what you want to tell me about my friend going to be useful to me?"
"No, not really." Replied the man.
"Well," concluded Socrates, if what you want to tell me is neither true, nor good, and nor even useful to me, why tell it to me at all ."
Unknown author
Source: www.experiencefestival.com
Image source: noelchenier
"Hold on a minute," Socrates replied. "Before telling me anything I'd like you to pass a little test. It's called the Triple Filter Test."
"Triple filter?" asked the man.
"That's right," Socrates continued.
"Before you talk to me about my friend, it might be a good idea to take a moment and filter what you're going to say. That's why I call it the triple filter test. The first filter is Truth. Have you made absolutely sure that what you are about to tell me is true?"
"No," the man said, "actually I just heard about it and wanted to tell it to you"
"All right," said Socrates. " So you don't really know if it's true or not. Now let's try the second filter, the filter of goodness. Is what you are about to tell me about my friend something good?"
"No, on the contrary, it is bad "
"So," Socrates continued, "you want to tell me something bad about him, but you're not certain it's true. You may still pass the test though, Because there's one filter left: the filter of usefulness. Is what you want to tell me about my friend going to be useful to me?"
"No, not really." Replied the man.
"Well," concluded Socrates, if what you want to tell me is neither true, nor good, and nor even useful to me, why tell it to me at all ."
Unknown author
Source: www.experiencefestival.com
Image source: noelchenier
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WeR1Family
Comment by Adrian
Philosophy Blog
Just to be argumentative, isn't it easy to jump through the third hoop? Isn't ALL information potentially useful?
So even if it's false gossip, and you know it's false, isn't it useful to know that some people might be saying and spreading and believing it?
Comment by Adrian
Philosophy Blog
Comment by WeR1Family
Stories of Wisdom
Lone - My Life and Thoughts
Yeah, about the third hoop, the so called 'usefulness' is rather relative, but i pretty much got the idea that some things are not really worthy to talk about and is actually a waste of time(especially if talking about people).
Average minds discuss events;
Small minds discuss people.
Comment by WeR1Family
Stories of Wisdom
Lone - My Life and Thoughts
1. Our judgement can never see the whole reality unless we see it from inside the box (which is only possible by the real person himself/herself). We can't judge whether an egg is a half boiled egg or a raw egg by seeing it from its shell. Judging people is actually a bias.
2. People change, we never stop growing, we learn from mistakes and experiences. What was i yesterday, may not be the I that is now, and might not be the same I of the now. NOW is the only reality, 'future' and 'past' is just construction of the mind that exist inside the mind.
3. The subtle changes that takes place starting from the inside can only be understood by the person himself/herself. Like a jar, its inside can only be seen by observing what flows out from it; we only perceive what flows out from the person.
4. Attachment that comes with the judgement creates much sufferings, such as 'misjudgement', 'over-expectation', etc
5. A lot more reasons....Add it guys!!! ^_^
Comment by Lilla
From The Home Front
Enviro Warrior
Dream Herald
Esoteric Bookshop
Firstly, thank you...I loved this post, although I already knew this information, it was most useful to re-read it...
I try not to judge anyone even though I may disagree with the way they see the world now... but I am judged often and it reminds me that by judging my fellow beings I am not going to make myself a better person... probably, actually, worse.. because I have observed that a circle of judgemental people will slowly cut of original thinking and communcation... eventually becoming stale...
...I have always found that living as a non-judgemental being is a happier existance that the life of a judgemental one...
Lilla...
Comment by WeR1Family
Stories of Wisdom
Lone - My Life and Thoughts
Yeah, i agree, living without being bound by our judgements would be happier than those who do.
Rinzai Zen saying