The Flat Earth Theory, which posits that the Earth is a flat plane rather than a globe, has persisted for centuries. This essay explores the historical origins of the theory, the notable personalities who have supported it, and the arguments and evidence presented by proponents. It also examines the scientific evidence that overwhelmingly supports the Earth being a sphere and debunks the Flat Earth Theory. The essay concludes by reflecting on the historical significance of the Flat Earth Theory and its lack of scientific support.
Introduction
The Flat Earth Theory posits that the Earth is not a globe, as widely accepted, but rather a flat plane or disk. This theory, which has persisted for centuries, challenges the fundamental principles of physics and astronomy. Despite being debunked by scientific evidence, the Flat Earth Theory continues to have a following, with proponents presenting various arguments to support their claims.
History of the Theory
The belief in a flat Earth dates back to ancient civilizations. Many early cultures, including the ancient Egyptians and Mesopotamians, believed the Earth was flat (Bowler & Morus, 2005). The ancient Greeks were among the first to suggest a spherical Earth, with philosophers such as Pythagoras and Aristotle providing evidence for this claim. However, the Flat Earth belief persisted through the Middle Ages and into the modern era. In the 19th century, Samuel Rowbotham, an English writer, founded the modern Flat Earth movement, arguing that the Earth is flat and that the evidence for a spherical Earth was part of a vast conspiracy (Garwood, 2007).
Notable Personalities
Samuel Rowbotham is considered the father of the modern Flat Earth movement. His book, "Zetetic Astronomy: Earth Not a Globe," became a cornerstone for Flat Earth believers. In the 20th century, Charles K. Johnson, president of the International Flat Earth Research Society, continued to promote the theory. In recent times, there have been claims that certain celebrities, . . . [section mostly removed to avoid potential defamation; that's how wacky this theory is; that it is likely that a reasonable person would find suggesting someone actually supports this theory could result in defamation liability]. It is important to approach such claims about others with skepticism and rely on credible sources for information.
Arguments for the Flat Earth Theory
Proponents of the Flat Earth Theory argue that the horizon appears flat, not curved, to the naked eye (Rowbotham, 1865). They also claim that photographs of the Earth from space showing a curved horizon are fabricated by NASA as part of a conspiracy. Additionally, they argue that the behavior of water, which they claim naturally finds a flat level, is evidence against the Earth being a sphere. They also question the lack of detectable change in the altitude of the stars as one travels north or south.
Counter-Arguments
Scientific evidence overwhelmingly supports the Earth being a sphere. The phenomenon of the horizon, the behavior of shadows, and photographs from space all provide evidence for a spherical Earth (Bowler & Morus, 2005). Additionally, the phenomenon of gravity, which causes masses to form into spheres, is inconsistent with a flat Earth. The fact that different stars are visible in the northern and southern hemispheres also supports a spherical Earth (Aristotle, 350 B.C.).
Conclusion
In summary, the Flat Earth Theory, though historically significant, is not supported by scientific evidence. While proponents present various arguments, these claims do not stand up to scientific scrutiny. The overwhelming consensus among scientists and scholars is that the Earth is a sphere. The Flat Earth Theory serves as an example of how historical beliefs can persist despite evidence to the contrary.
Reference:
- Samuel Rowbotham. (2023, May 21). In Wikipedia. (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Samuel_Rowbotham)
- Charles K. Johnson. (2023, June 17). In Wikipedia. (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charles_K._Johnson)
Bibliography:
- Aristotle. (350 B.C.). On the Heavens. (https://classics.mit.edu/Aristotle/heavens.html)
- Bowler, Peter J., and Iwan Rhys Morus. "Making Modern Science: A Historical Survey." University of Chicago Press, 2005. (https://doi.org/10.1086/506033)
- Garwood, C. (2007). Flat Earth: The History of an Infamous Idea. Pan Macmillan. ISBN-13: 978-0226068619
- Rowbotham, S. (1865). Zetetic Astronomy: Earth Not a Globe. (https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/69892)
Postscript: This article ranks pretty low in my own estimation. It was in-for-a-penny/in-for-a-pound -- blogging quicksand. Never did I imagine, even among modernity's least blessed, that anyone actually took this stupid shit seriously. But, I suppose for some (like MAGA people), science and truth are make brain hurt. I'm willing to bet that even among Murica's toothless mountain-folk the Earth's spherical nature is considered fact; how else is ya gonna git to China b'sides diggin? Afta all, dem metal birds ain't gonna fly people upside down is they? Oh wait, that's confusing.
