Fw: Socrates & Knowledge 08-07-02

[Guest guest]

This is a great test that we can all find useful. Wouldn't it be nice if

everyone used this test?

in Minnesota

>

> " Socrates & Knowledge "

>

> In ancient Greece, 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 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? "

>

> 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... "

>

> 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... "

>

> 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. "

>

> 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? "

>

> This is why Socrates was a great philosopher & held in

> such high esteem. Friends, use this triple filter each

> time you hear loose talk about any of your near & dear

> friends.