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As important as your brain is to your mind, so filtering is to your philosophy.

It’s critical that we identify through which lens we filter because once the information resides in the data-base of our sub-conscious, it has free reign in determining the nature of our behavioural response.

Socrates was interested in the ethical and moralistic qualities in life. His questioning pertaining to this was filtered through asking three questions – is it true, is it good, and is it useful. Great screening questions for everyone to consider.

There is an ever-increasing school of thought for virtually every moral topic under the sun which is creating a culture-traumatised society. Asking the Socratic questions will help with reasoning and provide some sanity for when your opinion and values may conflict with those of greater society.

Morally we will filter through two overarching filters – those of natural law and those that are man-made.

Your search for meaning and purpose is futile without relentlessly pursuing the ‘truth’ which I believe begins with the transcendent filter of natural law. This law supports the notion that there are certain universal moral principles and values which are written in the heart of every person, regardless of ethnicity, culture, or creed. They relate to an intuitive understanding of what is right and wrong, good or evil and can be referred to in terms of one’s conscience.

Constitutionally, man-made law is opposite to natural law. However, many man-made laws, subject to interpretation and reasoning, are based on natural law.

Opposing views of the ‘truth’ are mooted when biases, man-made laws, cultural norms and customs do not align with that which is innate. Thankfully your gutfeel and conscience should know the criteria for right and wrong and guide your decision-making, unless you have acquired a malformed conscience through being taught what is contrary to the truth.

Be consciously aware of how you morally filter because their implications hold the greatest consequences.

I am the author of Leading Self and Others (how to make a difference where you are with what you’ve got) and Teaming with ideas (life lessons in teams- from business, sport and parkrun). You can contact me here.