Triple Filter Test

Here is a philosophy you must keep in mind the next time you either hear some gossip, or are about to spread a rumour.

Socrates was a classical Greek philosopher credited as one of the founders of Western philosophy. He 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 (another Greek philosopher)?”

“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 about Diogenes let’s take a moment to filter what you’re going to say.

“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.”

“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 Diogenes something good?”

“No, on the contrary…”

“So,” Socrates continued, “You want to tell me something about Diogenes that may be bad, even though you’re not certain 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 Diogenes 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 or anyone at all?”

The man was bewildered and ashamed.

This is an example of why Socrates was a great philosopher and was held in such high esteem. Though it also explains why Socrates never found out that Diogenes was having an affair with his wife. 😉

Anyways, Socrates said, “The secret of happiness is not found in seeking more, but in developing the capacity to enjoy less.”

His triple filter test would help you in exactly that way – in not seeking to enjoy gossiping about others, but in living your own life peacefully and happily.