Cyprus-Forum.com

[LENA]

Keep this philosophy in mind the next time you hear or are about to
> repeat a rumour.
>
>
> In ancient Greece (469 - 399 BC), Socrates was widely lauded for his
> wisdom. One day the great philosopher came upon an acquaintance, who ran
> up to him excitedly and said, 'Socrates, do you know what I just heard
> about one of your students...?'
>
>
> 'Wait a moment,' Socrates replied. 'Before you tell me, I'd like you to
> pass a little test. It's called the Test of Three.'
>
> 'The TEST of THREE?' the man asked.
>
> That's correct,' Socrates continued. 'Before you talk to me about my
> student let's take a moment to test what you're going to say. The first
> test is Truth. Have you made absolutely sure that what you are about to
> tell me is true?'
>
> 'No,' the man replied, 'actually I just heard about it.'
>
> 'All right,' said Socrates. 'So you don't re ally know if it's true or
> not. Now let's try the second test, the test of Goodness. Is what you
> are about to tell me about my student something good?'
>
> 'No, on the contrary . . . '
>
> 'So,' Socrates continued, 'you want to tell me something bad about him
> even though you're not certain it's true?'
>
> The man shrugged, a little embarrassed.
>
> Socrates continued, 'You may still pass though because there is a third
> test- the filter of Usefulness. Is what you want to tell me about my
> student 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?'
>
> The man was defeated and ashamed and said no more.
>
> This is the reason Socrates was a great philosopher and held in such
> high esteem.
>
> It also explains why Socrates didn't find out that Plato was banging his
> wife