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| Thread ID: 107017 | 2010-02-01 03:50:00 | Socrates Wasn't So Great -------------- | SurferJoe46 (51) | PC World Chat |
| Post ID | Timestamp | Content | User | ||
| 854172 | 2010-02-01 03:50:00 | In ancient Greece (469 - 399 BCE), Socrates was widely lauded for his wisdom . One day an acquaintance ran up to him excitedly and said, "Socrates, do you know what I just heard about Diogenes?" "Wait a moment," Socrates replied, "Before you tell me I'd like you to pass a little test . It's called the Triple Filter Test . " 'Triple filter?" asked the acquaintance . "That's right," Socrates continued, "Before you talk to me about Diogenes let's take a moment to filter what you're going to say . The first filter is Truth . Have you made absolutely sure that what you are about to tell me is true?" "No," the man said, "Actually I just heard about it . " "All right," said Socrates, "So you don't really know if it's true or not . Now let's try the second filter, the filter of Goodness . Is what you are about to tell me about Diogenes something good?" "No, on the contrary . . . " "So," Socrates continued, "You want to tell me something about Diogenes that may be bad, even though you're not certain it's true?" The man shrugged, a little embarrassed . Socrates continued, "You may still pass the test though, because there is a third filter, the filter of Usefulness . Is what you want to tell me about Diogenes 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 or anyone at all?" The man was bewildered and ashamed . This is an example of why Socrates was a great philosopher and held in such high esteem . It also explains why Socrates never found out that Diogenes was having an affair with his wife . |
SurferJoe46 (51) | ||
| 854173 | 2010-02-01 04:35:00 | Socrates continued, "You may still pass the test though, because there is a third filter, the filter of Usefulness . Is what you want to tell me about Diogenes 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 or anyone at all?" The man was bewildered and ashamed . This is an example of why Socrates was a great philosopher and held in such high esteem . It also explains why Socrates never found out that Diogenes was having an affair with his wife . The man was a fool, for it would have been useful to Socrates to know that his wife was being shagged by his student! |
Cato (6936) | ||
| 854174 | 2010-02-01 05:43:00 | Then what would define useless? (Lucas aside) ;) | R2x1 (4628) | ||
| 854175 | 2010-02-01 06:42:00 | Then what would define useless? (Lucas aside) ;) Cherry-flavored arsenic? |
SurferJoe46 (51) | ||
| 854176 | 2010-02-01 06:51:00 | Cherry-flavored arsenic? I'll take some blueberry-flavored cyanide if you're selling... |
Cato (6936) | ||
| 854177 | 2010-02-01 06:54:00 | So, that would taste of blueberries and bitter almond then? A new taste sensation!:drool:D |
KarameaDave (15222) | ||
| 854178 | 2010-02-01 07:09:00 | I'll have some Vegiemite with that if you please. | Sweep (90) | ||
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