Socrates: The Philosopher's Test of Three and his Enduring Legacy

Once upon a time, Plato approached his esteemed teacher, Socrates, with a troubling revelation. He informed Socrates that one of his students had been spreading false rumors about him in the marketplace. Socrates, with a smile on his face, calmly inquired, "What exactly did he say?"

Plato, filled with emotion, replied, "He was talking about you!" Before Plato could continue, Socrates raised his hand, gesturing for him to pause, and advised him to put the information to the test of three before sharing it. Socrates urged Plato to analyze the story and decide whether it was worth telling.

Confused, Plato asked his great teacher, "What is the test of three?" Socrates explained, "Are you absolutely certain that what you are telling me is completely true?" Plato immediately shook his head in denial. Socrates chuckled and asked, "Then what purpose does it serve for both of us to spread something that may not be true?" Plato looked at Socrates in silence.

Socrates declared, "That was the first test. Now, let us move on to the second one. Is this a good thing you are sharing with me?" Plato once again shook his head in denial, saying, "No, it is a bad thing." Socrates smiled and questioned Plato's intentions, "Do you believe it is appropriate to bring something negative to your teacher's attention?" Plato shook his head again, indicating his disagreement.

Socrates continued, "It seems this information fails to meet the second criterion." Plato remained silent, contemplating the situation. Socrates then posed the final test, asking, "Tell me, is what you are sharing with me beneficial or useful?" Plato once more shook his head, asserting, "Dear Master, this is not beneficial for you at all!" Socrates laughed and replied, "If it is not beneficial for me, then why share it?" Plato looked puzzled, unable to find a satisfactory answer.

These three principles of communication were established by Socrates thousands of years ago, and all his disciples adhered to them. They would subject everything to the test of three before speaking: Is it completely true? Is it good? And is it useful for the listener? If the information met all three criteria, they would share it; otherwise, they would remain silent.

Who was Socrates?

Socrates, a renowned philosopher, laid the foundation of Western philosophy in ancient Greece during the fifth century BC. He was born in Athens, a famous Greek city, around 470 years ago. There is limited written evidence about his early life. However, references from later philosophers, including Plato, suggest that he initially worked as a sculptor and also participated in several Greek wars due to his strong sense of patriotism. Despite his scholarly pursuits, he did not belong to any prominent family or lineage. Among his friends, he held the position of a moral and spiritual elder.

Socrates possessed exceptional moral character and was recognized as a just and righteous teacher. Due to his strong convictions and constant contemplation, he ultimately denied the existence of traditional gods in his later years. This stance led to his conviction and subsequent death sentence by an Athenian court in 399 BC.

The Blame on Socrates

Socrates faced accusations in an Athens court of "corrupting the youth."

During that era, Athens was a hub of great wisdom. People sent their children to learn from sophists like Protagoras, often offering valuable possessions in return. Socrates received news from a priest that he was considered the wisest person in Athens. Skeptical of this claim, Socrates decided to investigate for himself. He engaged in discussions with the leading sages of Athens, employing a particular method. Wherever he went, his audience was astounded by his wisdom and insights. This sparked resentment among the so-called wise men of Athens, leading them to create an unfavorable atmosphere against Socrates. They managed to formulate three major accusations against him.

Firstly, they accused Socrates of misleading the youth. In a grand court gathering where the entire city was present, Socrates had to defend himself. Despite overwhelming the crowd with his wisdom during the trial, he couldn't escape the testimony of a young man who claimed to have been misled by Socrates. This testimony proved to be the tipping point that sealed his fate.

Socrates was presented with two options: to leave the city or to drink a cup of poison. With unwavering resolve, he chose the latter and willingly embraced death. As he drank the lethal concoction, he uttered his famous words, "Only the body is dying, but Socrates is alive."

The Thoughts of Socrates

Although no written works of Socrates have survived, we can gather insights into his ideas from the works of his disciples, particularly Plato. Here is a summary of his philosophical thoughts:

The Soul: Socrates believed in the existence of a separate soul, distinct from the physical body. He regarded death as the liberation of the soul rather than its destruction, thus rejecting the fear of death.

Confronting Ignorance: Socrates emphasized the importance of confronting ignorance and seeking knowledge. He urged individuals to consider collective interests rather than solely focusing on their own.

Justice and Truth: Socrates urged people to distinguish between justice and injustice, as well as truth and falsehood. He believed that wisdom lies in recognizing one's own ignorance.

Types of Knowledge: Socrates distinguished between mere opinions held by the common person and true knowledge, which can only be attained by the wise. He emphasized the significance of acquiring true knowledge.

Goodness and Education: Socrates considered goodness to be synonymous with knowledge, implying that it can be taught and acquired. He believed that the principles of good and evil can be rationally explained to people.

Opposition to Oppression: Socrates advocated for the avoidance of both committing and suffering from acts of oppression. He believed that it is better to be oppressed than to be an oppressor.

Appreciating What One Has: Socrates expressed the idea that having even a poor possession is preferable to having nothing at all.

Fearlessness: Socrates asserted that a true man should not fear death but rather fear engaging in evil deeds.

Existence of Common Sense: Socrates believed in the existence of common sense and an absolute concept of goodness.

Although Socrates's physical existence ended with his death, his philosophical legacy continued to shape Western philosophy for centuries to come. His commitment to truth, justice, and wisdom left an indelible mark on the philosophical tradition, inspiring generations to question, analyze, and seek knowledge.