Single Idea 5958

[catalogued under 11. Knowledge Aims / C. Knowing Reality / 3. Idealism / a. Idealism]

Full Idea

The sun doesn't become bright when it emerges from the clouds; it always is bright.

Gist of Idea

The sun is always bright; it doesn't become bright when it emerges

Source

Plutarch (26: Oracles in Decline [c.85], §39)

Book Reference

Plutarch: 'Selected Essays and Dialogues', ed/tr. Russell,Donald [OUP 1993], p.46


A Reaction

Not an argument, but a nice appeal to common sense, like Russell's example of the cat that disappears behind the furniture and then reappears. To disagree with Plutarch here strikes me as the road to philosophical absurdity.