Socrates’ Triple Filter Test

Then, Socrates asked him a second question:“Is what you’re going to tell me good or not?” The disciple replied that, evidently, it wasn’t good at all. In fact, it was quite the opposite. He believed that what he was going to share with the philosopher would cause him discomfort and distress. Thus, Socrates said to him: “You’re going to tell me something bad, but you’re not completely sure it’s true”. The disciple admitted that this was the case.

Then, Socrates asked the third and final question: “Is what you have to say about my friend going to help me in any way?” The disciple hesitated. He really didn’t know if that information was useful or not. Maybe it would distance him from his friend, but considering that he wasn’t sure whether it was true or not, maybe it wasn’t useful at all.

In the end, the philosopher refused to listen to what his disciple wanted to tell him. “If what you want to tell me isn’t true, isn’t good, and isn’t even useful, why would I want to hear it?” he finally told his disciple.

Truth, goodness, and usefulness are the foundation of Socrates’ triple filter test. Socrates thought that a person must ask themselves the following questions before they say anything: “Am I sure that what I am going to say is true?”, “Is what I’m going to say a good thing?”, and “Do I really need to say it and is it useful?”

In everyday life, it’s not easy to define the true, the good, and the necessary. These are abstract concepts that are sometimes difficult to apply. That’s why there are also some additional questions that can help us when it comes to applying the triple filter test.

• Do I know for a fact that this information is true?
• Can I bet on it?
• Will I be able to prove it to anyone?
• Am I willing to compromise my reputation over this?

• Does this information benefit 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?

• By knowing this information, will that person’s life or my life improve?
• Can that person take any practical action regarding this information or message?
• In what way does not knowing this information hurt or affect the other person?

The triple filter test is particularly oriented at rumors or gossip. Applying it allows us to put a stop to annoying gossip and rumors that sometimes haunt us, such as those we see in social networks.

But, more importantly, the test is a great life lesson and an excellent guide, for anything and everything that we’re going to say and for anything and everything that we’re going to listen to.