This essay tries to shed some light on the origins and the appeal of the flat earth theory It shows, that the origins can be traced back at least until Ancient Greece.
While a spherical model of the earth might seem like an axiom to many, there is a growing community of people who refuse to believe this seemingly basic fact of human life. Those, who do not consider the evidence of a spherical earth to be credible, believe in the so-called flat earth theory. The assumed shapes of the earth circulating within the community are as manifold as the believers themselves. Some assume the earth to be a square, a triangle or even just an infinite plane in all directions. While there is no clear consensus about the earths “true shape” among the members of this community, the most popular assumed shape of the earth would be a disc shaped one. The edges of the disc are often envisioned to be surrounded by a wall of ice or by a shape similar to a snow globe, which to them explains why nothing and no one has ever fallen from the edge of the earth. In addition to the basic flat shape of the earth, some followers of this theory also believe in a plethora of other conspiracy myths. According to one of said narratives, the Nazis were assisted by aliens when fleeing to Antarctica after the Second World War in order to avoid trial.
At a first glance there is no logical relation between a non-spherical earth and a geocentric model of the universe However, to rationalize the existence of night and day most believers of the flat earth theory also assume the sun moving around the earths North Pole, creating a spotlight that illuminates different regions of the earth at different times . In addition to the sun's altered course around the earth, the US model of a flat earth also suggests that the stars are located in a dome above the sun and moon, which they believe are at a distance of 5500 km from the earth. The general description modern believers of the flat earth theory use is very similar to the many theories present throughout history, which makes investigating the historical roots of the modern day conspiracy even more important.
Table of Contents
- 1. What is the Flat Earth Theory?
- 2. Greece - The discovery of a spherical earth
- 3. The Bible - A flat earth book?
- 4. The Middle Ages - A time of regression?
- 5. Columbus A rebellious explorer or a modern myth?
- 6. Modern Flat Earth believers - Returning to the Bible's teachings
Objectives and Key Themes
This text aims to explore the history of the flat-earth theory, tracing its evolution from ancient Greece to modern times. It examines the arguments used to support the theory, both historically and in contemporary contexts, and contrasts them with the scientific evidence for a spherical Earth.
- Historical perspectives on the flat-earth theory
- The role of religious texts in shaping beliefs about the Earth's shape
- The evolution of the flat-earth movement throughout history
- The contrast between the flat-earth theory and scientific evidence
- The impact of scientific advancements on beliefs about the Earth's shape
Chapter Summaries
1. What is the Flat Earth Theory?: This chapter introduces the flat-earth theory, explaining the diverse beliefs held by its adherents regarding the Earth's shape, including disc, square, triangle, or infinite plane models. It highlights the common belief in a disc-shaped Earth surrounded by an ice wall, and touches upon the connection between flat-earth beliefs and other conspiracy theories, such as the notion of Nazi collaboration with aliens. The chapter also explains the flat-earth model of the sun revolving around the Earth's North Pole, creating a spotlight effect, and the placement of the stars within a dome. The chapter concludes by emphasizing the importance of exploring the historical roots of the modern flat-earth theory due to its similarities to historical theories.
2. Greece - The discovery of a spherical earth: This chapter delves into early discussions about the Earth's shape in Ancient Greece, noting varying beliefs including a concave, drum-shaped Earth and a circular Earth encircled by walls. It focuses on Aristotle's compelling arguments for a spherical Earth, citing his observations of differing constellations from different locations and the Earth's curved shadow during lunar eclipses. The chapter also highlights Eratosthenes's accurate calculation of the Earth's circumference, demonstrating early scientific understanding of the Earth's shape. It interestingly notes the early Christian church's acceptance of a spherical Earth, despite conflicting biblical interpretations.
3. The Bible - A flat earth book?: This chapter explores the use of biblical passages by flat-earth theorists. It discusses the interpretation of verses mentioning the "four corners of the earth" as evidence for a flat Earth. The chapter also analyzes passages suggesting that one could see everything from a high vantage point, which is presented as inconsistent with a spherical Earth due to its curvature. The chapter connects the resurgence of flat-earth beliefs in the Middle Ages to the growing influence of biblical interpretations.
4. The Middle Ages - A time of regression?: This chapter challenges the common narrative that the Middle Ages marked a loss of knowledge about the Earth's spherical shape. It counters the misconception of a "dark age" of scientific stagnation, presenting evidence that medieval scholars did believe in a spherical Earth, integrating classical arguments with biblical interpretations. The chapter highlights how geography was taught within the context of astronomy and geometry, and discusses how scholars like Roger Bacon used classical arguments—such as the sphere's perfection—to support the Earth's roundness. It also addresses the metaphorical interpretation of the "four corners" concept.
5. Columbus A rebellious explorer or a modern myth?: This chapter questions the extent of Christopher Columbus's role in disproving the flat-Earth theory. It debunks the legend of Columbus defying the church's belief in a flat Earth, demonstrating that this narrative originated much later. The chapter analyzes the actual objections to Columbus's voyage, revealing they centered on economic and logistical concerns rather than skepticism about a spherical Earth. The objections themselves, the chapter argues, implicitly assumed a spherical Earth, highlighting the continued acceptance of this model among European scholars.
6. Modern Flat Earth believers - Returning to the Bible's teachings: This chapter examines the resurgence of the flat-earth movement in the 18th century, linking it to a renewed focus on biblical literalism. It profiles Samuel Rowbotham, a key figure who proposed a disc-shaped Earth with the North Pole at its center and Antarctica forming an ice-wall boundary. The chapter discusses Rowbotham's founding of the Zetetic Society and his influential work, "Zetetic Astronomy." It also describes Samuel Shenton's revival of the society and his reaction to space imagery, attributing his dismissal of such evidence to a deliberate cover-up. The chapter concludes by noting the decline and subsequent internet-fueled resurgence of the flat-earth movement.
Keywords
Flat Earth Theory, Geocentric Model, Ancient Greece, Aristotle, Bible, Middle Ages, Christopher Columbus, Samuel Rowbotham, Samuel Shenton, Zetetic Society, Conspiracy Theories, Scientific Evidence, Spherical Earth.
Frequently Asked Questions: A History of the Flat Earth Theory
What is this text about?
This text provides a comprehensive overview of the history of the flat-Earth theory. It traces the theory's evolution from ancient Greece to the modern era, examining the arguments used to support it, both historically and contemporarily, and contrasting these arguments with scientific evidence for a spherical Earth.
What are the key themes explored in this text?
The text explores historical perspectives on the flat-Earth theory, the role of religious texts in shaping beliefs about the Earth's shape, the evolution of the flat-Earth movement, the contrast between the flat-Earth theory and scientific evidence, and the impact of scientific advancements on beliefs about the Earth's shape.
What are the main chapters covered?
The text is divided into six chapters: 1. What is the Flat Earth Theory?; 2. Greece - The discovery of a spherical earth; 3. The Bible - A flat earth book?; 4. The Middle Ages - A time of regression?; 5. Columbus A rebellious explorer or a modern myth?; and 6. Modern Flat Earth believers - Returning to the Bible's teachings.
What does the chapter "What is the Flat Earth Theory?" cover?
This chapter introduces the flat-Earth theory, its various models (disc, square, triangle, infinite plane), and its common beliefs (disc-shaped Earth surrounded by an ice wall). It highlights the connection between flat-Earth beliefs and other conspiracy theories and explains its model of the sun and stars. It emphasizes the importance of exploring the historical roots of the modern flat-earth theory.
What does the chapter "Greece - The discovery of a spherical earth" discuss?
This chapter delves into early Greek discussions about the Earth's shape, including Aristotle's arguments for a spherical Earth (based on observations of constellations and lunar eclipses) and Eratosthenes's calculation of the Earth's circumference. It also notes the early Christian church's acceptance of a spherical Earth.
What is covered in the chapter "The Bible - A flat earth book?"
This chapter examines how flat-earth theorists use biblical passages (like those mentioning "four corners of the earth") to support their claims. It analyzes interpretations of verses and connects the resurgence of flat-Earth beliefs in the Middle Ages to the growing influence of biblical literalism.
What does the chapter "The Middle Ages - A time of regression?" argue?
This chapter challenges the idea that the Middle Ages represented a loss of knowledge about the Earth's spherical shape. It shows that medieval scholars often believed in a spherical Earth, integrating classical arguments with biblical interpretations. It highlights the role of geography, astronomy, and geometry in medieval scholarship.
What is discussed in the chapter "Columbus A rebellious explorer or a modern myth?"
This chapter questions the common narrative of Columbus defying a flat-Earth belief. It debunks the myth, showing that objections to his voyage were primarily economic and logistical, not based on a belief in a flat Earth. It argues that the objections implicitly assumed a spherical Earth.
What does the chapter "Modern Flat Earth believers - Returning to the Bible's teachings" cover?
This chapter examines the resurgence of the flat-Earth movement in the 18th century, linking it to renewed biblical literalism. It profiles key figures like Samuel Rowbotham and Samuel Shenton, their organizations (Zetetic Society), and their responses to space imagery. It also notes the movement's decline and subsequent internet-fueled resurgence.
What are some keywords associated with this text?
Keywords include: Flat Earth Theory, Geocentric Model, Ancient Greece, Aristotle, Bible, Middle Ages, Christopher Columbus, Samuel Rowbotham, Samuel Shenton, Zetetic Society, Conspiracy Theories, Scientific Evidence, Spherical Earth.
- Citar trabajo
- Anonym (Autor), 2021, The flat earth theory. A tale as old as time, Múnich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/1128926
