Thoughtless speech leads to many problems. Thoughtful speech creates a better world. Many of us have not learned how to speak. We have misunderstood the ‘Freedom of Speech’! If Socrates’ Triple Filter Test is taught to children the world would be totally different.
I can say with reasonable confidence that the following anecdote does not come from Socrates. We can also find this teaching is also found in the Manu Smriti:
सत्यं ब्रूयात् प्रियं ब्रूयात् न ब्रूयात् सत्यमप्रियम् प्रियञ्च नानृतं ब्रूयात् एष धर्मस्सनातनः
Meaning: Speak the truth, speak favourably, do not tell the truth that is not favourable. Also, do not tell untruth that is favourable – this is the eternal religion.
However, allow me to talk of the anecdote ascribing it to the great Socrates (469 – 399 BC), Greek philosopher. He was once stopped by an acquaintance as he passed through the markets.
“I’ve something important to tell you” he said. “It’s about your friend.”
“That’s very kind of you,” Socrates said. “But, don’t tell me just yet. I run all information through the Three Filters Test to ascertain if I want to know it.”
The man looked somewhat puzzled.
Socrates continued, “First is the filter of truth. Whatever you want to tell me, have you seen or witnessed it first-hand?”
“Umm…I actually heard it from someone,” the man said, “and it is from a trusted source.”
“Alright. But that does not pass my first test,” Socrates added, “since you do not know whether it is true.”
“Second is the filter of goodness. Is that a good statement you want to make about my friend?”
“Not really. That’s the reason I wanted—”
Socrates interjected, “So, you want to tell me something bad about someone but do not know if it is true.”
“The last is the filter of utility.” He continued, “Your statement about my friend, is it going to be useful to me?”
“Not really as such. I just wanted to share”
“Well, if the information is not true, it is not good, and, it is of no use,” Socrates concluded, “please, I don’t want to know about it.”
About the Author
Dr. K. Raja Gopal Reddy is a seasoned internationally qualified Insurance professional.
What you are reading here, may not answer all the questions we have, but has the absolute power of asking unsettling questions which increase the interest in the strange world, and show the contradictory wonders lying just below the surface of the commonest things of life. Look at this disturbing but beautiful thought of Friedrich Nietzsche “God is dead. God remains dead. And we have killed him”.
Dr. Reddy can be reached at: raja66gopal@gmail.com
