A straight stick looks bent when put halfway under water. Plato uses this example to illustrate the:
A) principle of light refraction.
B) distinction between appearance and reality.
C) artistic structure of his dialogues.
D) superiority of reason to observation.
E) None of the above

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Plato is using the example of the bent stick to argue for the distinction between appearance (what we see) and reality (what is actually true). This is a central theme in his philosophy and a key concept in his famous allegory of the cave.

A Straight Stick Looks Bent When Put Halfway Under Water