The Test of Three

The Test of Three


In ancient Greece (469 - 399 BC), Socrates was widely lauded for his
wisdom.
One day the 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 called the Test of Three."

"Test of Three?"

"That's right," 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 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 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?"