Why did people used to think the world was flat?

Question

goaded · Accepted Answer

Because it almost is. Isaac Asimov wrote about it in the 1980s.

"My answer to him was, "John, when people thought the Earth was flat, they were wrong. When people thought the Earth was spherical, they were wrong. But if you think that thinking the Earth is spherical is just as wrong as thinking the Earth is flat, then your view is wronger than both of them put together."

The basic trouble, you see, is that people think that "right" and "wrong" are absolute; that everything that isn't perfectly and completely right is totally and equally wrong.

...

Another way of looking at it is to ask what is the "curvature" of Earth's surface. Over a considerable length, how much does the surface deviate (on the average) from perfect flatness. The flat-Earth theory would make it seem that the surface doesn't deviate from flatness at all, that its curvature is 0 to the mile.

Nowadays, of course, we are taught that the flat-Earth theory is wrong; that it is all wrong, terribly wrong, absolutely. But it isn't. The curvature of the Earth is nearly 0 per mile, so that although the flat-Earth theory is wrong, it happens to be nearly right. That's why the theory lasted so long."

https://hermiene.net/essays-trans/relativity_of_wrong.html

ohsheeT · Accepted Answer

To this day there are even scientists who State The world is flat and they have proof they say they say that all the water on this flat Earth is being held up by a mountain of ice it's just amazing. I still don't understand whatever happened to common Sense would be the better question

Daniela1982 · Accepted Answer

Good question, because even the Bible hints at it's roundness.

In the Old Testament, Job 26:7 explains that the Earth is suspended in space, the obvious comparison being with the spherical sun and moon.

A literal translation of Job 26:10 is “He described a circle upon the face of the waters, until the day and night come to an end.” A spherical Earth is also described in Isaiah 40:21-22—“the circle of the earth.”

Note, that the Biblical Hebrew word for “circle” (חוג—chuwg) can also mean “round” or “sphere.”

purplepoppy · Accepted Answer

They never did. It's a myth based on a Victorian comedy but in reality we've known for thousands of year's.

Anonymous · Answer

I’m sure there’s a lot of good theories as to why some people think the earth is flat. I tend to wonder. If a helicopter hovered in place for 12 hours in one state, would it end up in another state since the earth supposedly rotates on its axis?

AviatorTom · Answer

That's a myth. The ancient Greeks knew that the Earth was sphere-shaped. Eratosthenes even calculated the Earth's circumference, within about 15% of what it actually is, 2400 years ago.

Today, there are many flat-earthers producing books and videos, to make money. I doubt that most of them really believe what they preach.

exitseven · Answer

It looks flat until you go it about 3 miles.

jahaims · Answer

The whole world wasn't explored and mapped by one group of people and the lack of science. New science was often punished by governments and churches.

Anonymous · Answer

Woman's Chest or earth I like it round not flat

BLP11520 · Answer

Because they are stupid and have never been in a plane 😂😂

RedInnocent68 · Answer

Some people still do… 🙄

katiesmuff · Answer

Why would they have ever thought otherwise!

spartan55 · Answer

There are many that still do.

boggboss · Answer

They still do 🤣

Anonymous · Answer

Because it looked flat to the horizon.

Anonymous · Answer

Some still do unfortunately.

SUMAIREBRAHIM · Answer

Some people still do 😂😂😂

Anonymous · Answer

They saw your boobs and butt

Why did people used to think the world was flat?

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