I realize that this is not the proper forum to air this, but scientists, in fact, knew that the earth was a sphere for a very long time. They did not assume it was flat, as the evidence that it is a sphere is easily available and incontrovertible.
1. The shadow cast by the earth onto the moon is always circular, regardless of location. Ergo, the earth is spherical. The ancient Greeks knew this.
2. The horizon always curves downward the farther away from you it gets, even on what is supposed to be uniformly flat land. Again, ancient philosophers know this.
I say these things not to be critical, but merely to correct a common misconception. While it is true that the belief that the earth was flat may have been prevalent in ancient times, it was never so among the educated.
I realize that this is not the proper forum to air this, but scientists, in fact, knew that the earth was a sphere for a very long time. They did not assume it was flat, as the evidence that it is a sphere is easily available and incontrovertible.
1. The shadow cast by the earth onto the moon is always circular, regardless of location. Ergo, the earth is spherical. The ancient Greeks knew this.
2. The horizon always curves downward the farther away from you it gets, even on what is supposed to be uniformly flat land. Again, ancient philosophers know this.
I say these things not to be critical, but merely to correct a common misconception. While it is true that the belief that the earth was flat may have been prevalent in ancient times, it was never so among the educated.
Hopefully it is not as long as my comments on 'The God Delusion'. ;o) LOL
ReplyDeleteI realize that this is not the proper forum to air this, but scientists, in fact, knew that the earth was a sphere for a very long time. They did not assume it was flat, as the evidence that it is a sphere is easily available and incontrovertible.
ReplyDelete1. The shadow cast by the earth onto the moon is always circular, regardless of location. Ergo, the earth is spherical. The ancient Greeks knew this.
2. The horizon always curves downward the farther away from you it gets, even on what is supposed to be uniformly flat land. Again, ancient philosophers know this.
I say these things not to be critical, but merely to correct a common misconception. While it is true that the belief that the earth was flat may have been prevalent in ancient times, it was never so among the educated.
I realize that this is not the proper forum to air this, but scientists, in fact, knew that the earth was a sphere for a very long time. They did not assume it was flat, as the evidence that it is a sphere is easily available and incontrovertible.
ReplyDelete1. The shadow cast by the earth onto the moon is always circular, regardless of location. Ergo, the earth is spherical. The ancient Greeks knew this.
2. The horizon always curves downward the farther away from you it gets, even on what is supposed to be uniformly flat land. Again, ancient philosophers know this.
I say these things not to be critical, but merely to correct a common misconception. While it is true that the belief that the earth was flat may have been prevalent in ancient times, it was never so among the educated.