Socrates’ Triple Filter Test Against Rumors And Gossip

Socrates’ triple filter test refers to an anecdote by the great Greek philosopher, Socrates. Many people consider this anecdote a good life lesson that can help you deal with gossip and rumors.

This story tells of a day when one of Socrates’ disciples was quite upset. He told Socrates that he had met one of Socrates’ friends and that he had spoken ill of him.

Socrates asked the man to calm down. After thinking for a while, he asked the man to wait a moment. Before listening to what he had to say, the message had to go through a triple filter test. If the message did not pass the test, it was not worthy of being heard.

Socrates’ triple filter test

As he always did, the Greek philosopher asked his anxious disciple, “Are you absolutely sure that what you are going to tell me is true?” The disciple thought for a moment. In fact, he could not be sure if what his friend had told him was actually malicious. It was a matter of perspective. “So you do not know if everything he said about me is true or not,” said the philosopher. The disciple had to admit that he did not.

Then Socrates asked him another question:  “Are you going to tell me well or not?” The disciple replied that it was obviously not good at all. In fact, it was quite the opposite. He thought that what he would share with the philosopher would lead to discomfort and distress. Socrates thus said to him: “You are going to tell me something bad, but you are not quite sure if it is true”. The disciple admitted that this was the case.

Then Socrates asked the third and final question: “Will what you have to say about my friend help me?” The disciple hesitated. He really did not know if this information was useful or not. Maybe it would create a distance between the friend and him, but considering that he was not sure if it was true or not, it might not be useful at all.

Truth, goodness and usefulness

Finally, the philosopher refused to listen to what the disciple wanted to tell him. “If what you want to tell me is not true, is not good, and is not even useful, why would I hear it?” He finally said to the disciple.

Truth, goodness and usefulness are the basis of Socrates’ triple filter test. Socrates believed that a person must ask himself the following questions before saying something: “Am I sure what I am saying is true?”, “Is what I am going to say a good thing?” And “Do I really need to say that and is it helpful? ”

This triple filter test is an excellent guide, both for what to say and for what to listen to. It is a set of parameters that represent healthy and constructive communication.

How to use the triple filter test

In everyday life it is not easy to define the true, the good and the necessary. These are abstract terms that are sometimes difficult to apply. Therefore, there are also a few more questions that can help you when it comes to using the triple filter test:

• Regarding the truth: Do I know for sure that this information is true? Can I bet on it? Can I prove it to anyone? Am I willing to compromise my reputation over this?
• When it comes to the good: Is it for the benefit of me or the other person? Will it make them or me a better person and evoke positive emotions? Will the situation of those involved improve?
• Regarding necessary or useful: By knowing this message, will the life of this person or my own be better? Can the person take any specific action regarding this information or message? In what way will not knowing this information harm or affect the other person?

As we pointed out at the beginning, Socrates’ triple filter test is specifically oriented against rumors or gossip. By using it, we can stop annoying rumors that sometimes haunt us. However, it is also valid for other types of messages, such as those we see in social networks.