The flat earth theory is one of the most remarkable and controversial ideas that has continued to gain adherents to this day despite scientific evidence to the contrary. This theory claims that the earth is a flat disk and not a sphere, as confirmed by modern astronomy. To fully understand why this flat earth theory has the force of existence, it is necessary to analyze its basic principles, examine the explanatory models of its proponents and explore the psychological motivations for accepting this idea.
The basics of the flat earth theory
The flat earth theory is not actually a “theory” in the scientific sense, but an ancient idea that has its origins in the earliest human civilizations.
The perception of the Earth as flat was based on direct observations: the horizon appeared flat, the sky arched above it, and people could not perceive that they were on a curved surface, especially on the plains or when looking at the sea.
In many early cultures, based on this direct perception, the Earth was viewed as a flat disk or as a plane spanned by a curved firmament. Examples of such worldviews can be found in Norse mythology (where the Earth is described as a disk-shaped world called Midgard), in various ancient Near Eastern cultures, and also in ancient Greece, before the idea of sphericity became popular.
Flat Earth supporters hold that the Earth is flat and stationary, with the poles at the center of the disk and a rim of ice known as the "Antarctic Ice Wall" forming the outer boundaries. They reject the idea of a gravitational spherical shape and claim that the evidence presented by science is either misinterpreted or deliberately manipulated.
However, Pythagoras was one of the first to argue that the Earth might be a sphere in the 6th century BC, and then in the 4th century BC Aristotle made several observations that showed that the Earth must indeed be round - for example, the curvature of the Earth's shadow on the Moon during a lunar eclipse and the fact that stars visible in the north cannot be seen from points further south. This suggests a spherical surface on which lines of sight are limited by the curvature of the horizon.
Nevertheless, the idea of a flat earth persisted in various cultures well into the Middle Ages. However, the myth that people before Columbus believed the earth was flat is a fallacy that has been disproven by history. Educational institutions in medieval universities already taught the spherical model, which went back to the Greek philosophers.
In the 19th century, the flat earth theory experienced a renaissance through the writings of Samuel Rowbotham, who went by the pseudonym "Parallax". He published "Zetetic Astronomy: Earth Not a Globe", which convinced many modern flat-enders. Rowbotham claimed that science was wrong and attempted to support his arguments through a series of experiments that he interpreted as evidence for a flat earth.
Why does anyone still believe that the Earth is flat?
Flat Earthers may believe that the spherical Earth theory is a fabrication or a hoax for a variety of reasons. Essentially, their belief is often based on a mixture of mistrust, alternative beliefs, and interpretive errors. Here are some reasons often cited by flat earthers:
- Distrust of authorities and institutions: A common argument relates to the general distrust of governments, scientific institutions and experts. Flat Earthers often suspect that these "authorities" are hiding the truth about the shape of the Earth for various reasons - such as power, control or financial interests.
- Distorted interpretation of observations: Many flat earthers rely on their direct perception of the world, which appears flat to them. They argue that if the Earth were truly a sphere, one would be able to see visible curvatures or changes in the landscape. However, these personal observations and conclusions are in direct contradiction to scientific findings.
- Conspiracy theories: Fascination and belief in conspiracy theories is strong among some flat earthers. They believe that there is a great conspiracy that hides the truth about the flat earth in order to deceive the population and keep the supposed elites in their position.
- Alternative interpretations of the Bible or other religious texts: Some flat earthers derive their beliefs from religious or spiritual texts that they take literally and believe that these texts describe the earth as a flat disk.
- Skepticism towards scientific methods: Some flat earthers question the methods and tools of science, such as satellite imagery or the laws of physics, believing that the data is fake or that the laws are inapplicable because they do not agree with their direct experience or understanding of reality.
- Need for uniqueness: For some people, belief in the flat earth theory can also be a means of separating themselves and feeling part of a group that believes it possesses "true" knowledge that the mainstream ignores. This sense of belonging and superiority can be a powerful emotional motivator.
It is important to understand that although these reasons may be subjectively convincing to some people, they are not supported by scientific facts and evidence. Neither modern science nor historical observations provide robust evidence for the flat earth theory. On the contrary, an overwhelming consensus is based on extensive evidence supporting the spherical shape of the earth.
Flat Earth Society
There is an organization that calls itself the "Flat Earth Society." The Flat Earth Society today is a group of people who support the idea that the Earth is flat. Originally, the modern form of the society was founded in the 1950s by Samuel Shenton in England as the "International Flat Earth Research Society," as a continuation of the flat earth ideas popularized by Samuel Rowbotham in the 19th century.
After Shenton's death, Charles K. Johnson continued the operation of the company and moved it to California, USA. In 2004, it was revived by former chairman Daniel Shenton.
The Flat Earth Society opposes the widely accepted scientific consensus that the Earth is approximately spherical in shape, and has members who support a variety of views on the Earth. They are known for their use of pseudoscientific arguments and are frequently cited as examples of dissenting beliefs or rejection of scientific facts.
It should be noted, however, that there are also other, independent flat earth groups and individuals who are not necessarily formally affiliated with the Flat Earth Society, but who share similar views. These communities are often active online and use social media and their own websites to spread their views and organize conferences or meetings.
Explanatory model for the path of the sun and the seasons
According to the flat earth theory, the sun moves in circles across the earth's disk, creating day and night. The sun is depicted as a smaller and closer object than in the heliocentric theory of astronomy. Proponents argue that the seasons are caused by changes in the sun's path, not by the tilt of the earth's axis, as is conventional in science. The sun is thought to move in larger circles across the earth's disk to create summer, and in smaller circles to create winter.
Ideas about the edge of the disc
Supporters of the theory believe that there is a massive wall of ice at the edge of the Earth's disk that prevents the oceans from flowing out. They speculate that no one has ever crossed the wall, or that those who have tried have been prevented from doing so by government agencies.
Top 5 misconceptions of the Flat Earth Theory – An explanation
In an age where access to knowledge is more widespread than ever, it may be surprising that the flat earth theory still has adherents. Although these views are often based on misunderstandings and misinterpreted information, their persistence remains remarkable. Let's debunk some of the biggest fallacies of this theory and confront them with scientific evidence.
Misconception 1: The earth is flat. The belief that the Earth is flat is contradicted by countless observations and measurements. Satellite images clearly show a spherical Earth, and astronauts have confirmed this view from space. In addition, a flat disk would lead to anomalies in gravity that we cannot observe in physics.
Misconception 2: The sun orbits the earth. Supporters of the flat earth theory often assume that the sun orbits the earth in circles. However, this contradicts the observed movements of the sun and the star constellations, which are consistent with a spherical earth and a heliocentric orbit. Eclipses and seasons can only be plausibly explained with a spherical earth and the tilt of its axis.
Myth 3: The Earth’s edge is surrounded by a wall of ice. Some flat-earthers believe that a gigantic ice wall or Antarctica forms the edge of the world. However, no such "wall" exists, as proven by numerous expeditions and photographs of Antarctica, which clearly show that it is a continent and not a wall.
Myth 4: Gravity does not exist. Gravity denial is a common theme among flat earthers. But gravity's effects are evident everywhere, not only in the movement of celestial bodies, but also in our everyday lives, where it pulls objects toward the center of the Earth. Gravity also explains the round shape of other celestial bodies, many of which are visible with telescopes.
Myth 5: Flight paths confirm the flat earth theory. Some people claim that flight paths would be better suited to a flat Earth than a round one. However, pilots and global navigation software use the principles of spheroids to calculate their routes. Spherical maps and the reality of great circle navigation clearly disprove this misconception.
There is a wealth of evidence to support the spherical shape of the Earth: satellite images show a round Earth, air and shipping routes are based on a spherical geometry, and the laws of physics as represented by the theory of gravity make sense on the basis of a spherical world. If the Earth were flat, all the laws of physics as we know them would have to work differently.
Although the flat earth theory seems like an outlandish notion with medieval roots, it still fascinates a small but vocal minority. While it is more of a cultural phenomenon than a scientific hypothesis, it does offer an interesting perspective on the psychology of faith and belief. Ultimately, however, both historical science and modern observations and evidence convincingly support the spherical shape of the earth and the other celestial bodies of our solar system.