Filename: Communication-TripleFilterTestOfSocrates.txt

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If our voice does not improve upon the silence, then let us remain silent. Mahatma Gandhi

Triple Filter Test Of Socrates

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. 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.
Let's do a triple filter test.

The first filter is Truth...
Are you absolutely sure what you are about to tell me is True?

Well, no, actually I just heard about it...

All right, so you don't really know if it's True or not?

Now, let's apply the second filter, the filter of Goodness.
What you are about to tell me about my friend is Good?

Umm, No.

So, you want to tell me something bad about my friend, but you're not certain it's True...
You may still pass the test though... If you clear the last filter.

Let's apply the filter of Usefulness.
Is what you want to tell me about my friend going to be Useful to me?

No, not really.

Well, if what you want to tell me is neither True, nor Good, nor even Useful...
Why tell it to me at all?

Filter of Truthfulness
Filter of Goodness
Filter of Usefulness

Can we Actually Use these filters in our Life?

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