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Socrates’ Filter Against Gossip
A student told Socrates — “Do you know what I heard about your friend?”
Socrates — “Wait, first, Let’s put your words through the three-filter test before speaking about others.”
“First filter, TRUTH; are you sure what you’re about to say is true?”
Student — “No, I just heard it.”
Socrates — “So you ignore if it’s true. OK, second filter, GOODNESS; Is it a good idea for you to tell me about my friend?”
Student — “Not way!”
Socrates — “So you want to say bad things about my friend, and you’re uncertain if they’re true?” “Now, third filter, USEFULNESS; Is it necessary for me to know this about my friend?”
Student — “Not at all.”
Socrates — “If what you were about to tell me was neither true, good, nor useful; why did you want to tell me?”
Let’s use the TRUTH, GOODNESS, and USEFULNESS test before gossiping.
