You have probably already seen the famous picture of the three wise monkeys. But did you know what they really mean?
The classic story of the three wise monkeys from the Toshogu shrine is about a simple and timeless lesson: We need to be careful about what we say what we hear and what we see.
The famous sanctuary is in Japan. The cuts of the monkeys - one covering his mouth, another eye and the last of his ears - originates from 1636.
Few images have crossed as many limits and passed for as many decades as these. Now the three wise monkeys are an icon.
However, the significance of this picture was slowly lost as time passed.
For example, the Japanese refer to a philosophical code of conduct for care:
"See no evil, hear no evil, hurt no evil."
This lesson, which comes from the letters from Confucius. To many, it gives a sense of "surrender."
Historians, however, see a connection between the image of the three monkeys and Socrates' three filters.
Thus, this icon can provide a much more useful message for our modern life. This image has nothing to do with the old eastern submissiveness that was forced by not seeing or hearing justice.
Socrates' test is comparable to the three wise monkeys
To understand the similarity between the three shows monkeys and Socrates' three filters, it is useful first to understand a story and a lesson:
A disciple came to inform Socrates that someone had criticized him.
Before the nervous student could open his mouth at all, Socrates asked him these three questions. These are three filters that the disciple should think about before turning to Socrates. They were:
Truth: Is that what you're going to tell, really true? Have you checked everything you need to tell me thoroughly, carefully and with self-control to make sure it's right?
Goodness: Is that what you need to tell me, good and kind?
Necessity: Is what you need to tell me necessary? Is it useful or necessary to tell me?
These three filters serve as a guide to helping us to be more careful, careful and critical of everything we say.
Many people think it is the same story as the three wise monkeys at Toshogu Shrine tells us. Socrates' tests can thus be compared to the three wise monkeys.
The three wise monkeys can teach us
Let's look at the famous picture.
Monkey, covering his mouth: Iwazaru
Iwazaru is the little monkey that you can see to the left of the picture.
For the Japanese philosopher, this monkey represents the need not to utter evil things. It is even associated with the recommendation not to express their own dissatisfaction or negative feelings.
Caution is also a part of not letting our emotional world be displayed too much. It's about being fat and controlling yourself.
Compared to how it fits with Socrates three filters, it has a lot to do with the need not to talk about others.
This is because rumors are not always correct. They are not good and it is not always necessary to say them loudly.
Monkey, covering his ears: Kikazaru
Kikazaru is the monkey in the middle.
In Japan, people who spread rumors, criticism or bad news are seen very negatively.
Thus, the Japanese believe that it is better to cover their ears for certain types of information in order to maintain their balance.
This traditional thought may sound a little shocking here in the Western world. After all, bad news, gossip and criticism are to be found all the way all the time.
However, if we use Socrates' three filters, we can see how it may make sense to us:
Sometimes we need to get negative information because it is useful information. For example, you tell your boss that customers are not satisfied and that the boss should work to hold on to them.
If the information is not necessary and also is harmful, it's time to make like the monkey Kikazaru: Tire your mouth.
Monkey, covering his eyes: Mizaru
According to the philosophical and moral code santai, it is better not to see, hear or speak of injustice. However, as we know, this does not happen in real life.
However, if we look at the image of the third monkey through Socrates' filters, we realize something. It is a direct invitation to close our eyes to things that are not useful or good.
Close your eyes to the dark to focus your eyes on the brighter, more hopeful and more meaningful.
Generally speaking, these three monkeys teach us about our own needs and always to be careful and careful, especially when it comes to harmful or negative thoughts.
"Be careful what you say. Cover your ears over anything that is not useful or beneficial, and cover your eyes for all that is harmful and make you unhappy."
