Socrates' filter test

plato imposter!

satt-f, Just returned from one week in London, and had the opportunity to see the original composition of Bach and many other classical composers at the British Library. c.i.

Re: Socrates' filter test

Socrates ... wasn't he the one who said

"By all means, marry. If you get a good wife, you'll become happy;
if you get a bad one, you'll become a philosopher."


I guess the world should really thank Mrs. Socrates.

Wouldn't the possibly untrue, not so good information actually be useful to him? It seems that he certainly could have used the information and, at the bare minimum, apply it to a useful conversation with his wife. By her answer the first and second conditions would have been more fully realized.

I understand this is a bit of a joke, but just got me thinking.....

Sugar, If you can extend the message in a joke to a more serious discussion, I'm ready and willing. c.i.

OK - here's the way I see it:

1. "Have you made absolutely sure that what you are about to tell me is true?" Although the gossip could be untrue it is not definately untrue. The truth could only be confirmed by one out of 2 possible parties - his wife and the rumored lover - not by Socrates. Just because we do not know something to be the truth does not mean it is not the absolute truth.

2. "Is what you are about to tell me about my friend something good?" Only tell me if he won the lottery. If he got hit by a chariot keep it to yourself. I think it would be interesting to define "good" as it applies to philosophy.

3. As I already stated, I believe the information is very useful. It's useful to him to confront it if he wants, or defend his wife against slander, or have a little talk with his friend.

"If what you want to tell me is neither true nor
good nor even useful..." - this entire statement is false. What is proven untrue, bad, or useless?

Sugar, Very good! Points well taken. You go to the front of the class. c.i.

It's because Socrates didn't care. His boyfriend Alciabiades was taking up all of his time.

Socrates
Sugar, you're a woman aren't you? See, women are so much more logical!
I'm much more of a feeling kind of guy
and it seems to me Socrates was just being ornery that day.

Maybe his robes were too tight or he had a disagreeable breakfast,
but I sense there was something else going on in his subconscious
and he was just making trouble for his friend
under the inpenetrable guise of logic.

The trouble he had that day has plagued us with this question for
thousands of years now, and I think it's time we felt with our hearts
what it is we really wish Socrates should have done.

Perhaps stand up and scream "Frackus Offus and leave me alone!
Can't you see I'm THINKing!" That's what I would have done,
and if he was being emotionally honest, he would have too.

Code, Emotional outburst is always based on truth. Logic need not be part of it. c.i.

The facts change but the truth remains the same.

I also think that if he was being emotionally honest, he'd already know if his wife was cheating on him.

Nice response Algis!

Socrates' wife Xanthippe was a famous shrew.

To paraphrase Winston Churchill's reputed exchange with (Lady Astor?):
Xanthippe: If you were my husband, I'd serve you hemlock
Socrates: If I was your husband, I'd drink it.

Socrates WAS her husband, ergo....

Sugar, How so? Women have intuitions. Do men? c.i.