Triple Filter Test of Socrates April 15, 2012
In ancient Greece , Socrates (469 – 399 BC) was widely lauded for his wisdom.
One day the great philosopher came upon an acquaintance who ran up to him excitedly and said, ” Socrates, do you know what I just heard about one of your students? “
” 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 ? “
” That’s right “, Socrates continued, ” Before you talk to me about my student, let’s take a moment to filter what you’re going to say. The first filter is Truth. Are you absolutely sure that what you are about to tell me is true? “
” No “, the man said, ” Actually I just heard about it and…”
” Alright “, 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 student something good ? “
” No, on the contrary….”
” So “, Socrates continued, ” You want to tell me something bad about him, even though you’re not certain if it’s true ? “
The man shrugged, a little embarrassed.
Socrates continued, ” You may still pass the test though, because there is a third filter – the filter of Usefulness. Is what you want to tell me about my student going to be useful to me ? “
” No, not really…”
” Well “, concluded Socrates, ” If what you want to tell me is neither True nor Good nor even Useful, why tell it to me at all ? “
The man was defeated and ashamed.
This is the reason why Socrates was a great philosopher and held in such high esteem.
http://jyotsna-collectionofshortstories.blogspot.com/2011/01/triple-filter-test.html
SIMPLE GIFTS March 31, 2008
Description: Traditional Shaker song written by Elder Joseph Brackett in 1848. Arrangement by Aaron Copland from Old American Songs for voice and piano. |
‘Tis the gift to be simple, ’tis the gift to be free, ‘Tis the gift to come down where we ought to be, And when we find ourselves in the place just right, ‘Twill be in the valley of love and delight. |
When true simplicity is gain’d, To bow and to bend we shan’t be asham’d, To turn, turn will be our delight, Till by turning, turning we come round right. |
Tis the gift to be simple, ’tis the gift to be free, ‘Tis the gift to come down where we ought to be, And when we find ourselves in the place just right, ‘Twill be in the valley of love and delight. |
CAN WE FOLLOW CHRIST? March 18, 2008
Can we fulfill the words Christ? So far I am not familiar with person who can comply with these words. |
27 “You have heard that it was said to those of old, ‘You shall not commit adultery. 28 But I say to you that whoever looks at a woman to lust for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart. 29 If your right eye causes you to sin, pluck it out and cast it from you; for it is more profitable for you that one of your members perish, than for your whole body to be cast into hell. 30 And if your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and cast it from you; for it is more profitable for you that one of your members perish, than for your whole body to be cast into hell. –(NKJV) |
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