On 06/04/2008, robert wrote:
> Stars and Planets revolved around the Earth. Many believed that
> Christopher Columbus might sail to the edge of the earth, and might
> fall off, during his trip that discovered the new continent.
That's not true. Most of Columbus's crew were pressed to service, and
did not want to go on what would be, quite surely and reasonably, they
reckoned, a hazardous voyage. One of the more desperate excuses given
by some crew members who did not want to leave their families for such
a long trip was that they "might fall off the end of the world". But
that was nothing more than an extreme of desperation. As mariners, they
knew differently.
> In 1492 and Biblical times the majority of the world assumed the
> earth was flat and the Son, Stars and planets revolved around the
> Earth. Columbus proved the Earth to be round.
No they didn't, and no he didn't. This is a misunderstanding of history
that is perpetuated by those who repeat myths without properly
understanding the history.
People KNEW the earth was round. Thousands of years before Columbus
plotted his route, Eratosthenes knew the earth was round and measured
its cir***ference to an extraordinary accuracy.
Moreover, mariners knew the earth was round. They routinely observed
that when a ****p disappeared over the horizon, the hull disappeared
first, followed by the sails ; and when a vessel appeared on the
horizon, the sails appeared first, followed by the hull, and this
happened no matter where on the surface of the earth. The only shape of
earth that permits this observation is a globe.
Mariners and astronomers were also familiar with the phenomenon of
lunar eclipses, which they knew were caused by the shadow of the earth
falling on the moon. The circular shadow was regularly observed
crossing the face of the moon. The only shapes which permit this
observation are, of course, spheres.
It is a really shame to think that one of the central premises of the
likes of Erich von Daniken -- that our ancestors were dummies -- should
be promulgated in this way. It is not true. Our forebears merit a
better representation than this nonsense.
> Why would god create a gene for vitamin C synthesis in most mammals,
> but stop it working in humans and chimps?
> [etc]
One can make many cogent arguments why God (or gods) may not exist, but
the Appeal to Incredulity is not one of the better ones.
--
David Flechard.
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