Fact Check: The Earth is flat

The Claim: "The Earth is flat"

The assertion that "the Earth is flat" represents a long-debunked belief that contradicts centuries of scientific evidence supporting the Earth's spherical shape. Despite overwhelming consensus in the scientific community regarding the Earth's shape, a segment of the population continues to advocate for flat Earth theories, often citing various arguments and interpretations of evidence. This article examines the claim, the evidence surrounding it, and the perspectives of both proponents and opponents of flat Earth theories.

What We Know

1. Scientific Consensus: The scientific community overwhelmingly supports the understanding that the Earth is an oblate spheroid, a shape confirmed through various methods including satellite imagery, space exploration, and geodesy 28. NASA and other space agencies have provided extensive photographic evidence of the Earth from space, reinforcing this understanding 2.

2. Historical Context: The belief in a flat Earth was more common in ancient civilizations but has been scientifically disproven since the time of the Greeks, who provided early evidence of a spherical Earth through observations of lunar eclipses and the horizon 7.

3. Modern Flat Earth Beliefs: Despite the scientific evidence, some individuals and groups continue to promote flat Earth theories, often as part of broader conspiracy beliefs. A 2019 article from the University of Melbourne discusses the psychological and social factors that contribute to the persistence of flat Earth beliefs 3.

4. Evidence Against Flat Earth Claims: Numerous articles and studies have documented the fallacies in flat Earth arguments. For instance, a USA Today fact-check outlines various scientific observations that confirm the Earth's roundness, such as the way ships disappear hull-first over the horizon and the varying star constellations observed from different latitudes 8.

Analysis

The claim that the Earth is flat is supported by a small but vocal group of individuals who often rely on anecdotal evidence and misinterpretations of scientific data. For example, some flat Earth proponents argue that if the Earth were truly round, we would see a curvature at certain heights, which they claim is not observable 9. However, this argument fails to consider the scale of the Earth and the limitations of human perception.

1. Source Reliability: Sources that support the spherical Earth, such as NASA and scientific journals, are generally considered highly credible due to their reliance on empirical evidence and peer-reviewed research 28. In contrast, many flat Earth claims originate from social media or fringe websites that lack rigorous scientific backing.

2. Bias and Conflicts of Interest: Some sources discussing flat Earth beliefs may have inherent biases, particularly those that frame the issue within a broader context of anti-science sentiment or conspiracy theories 6. For instance, the Scientific American podcast discusses the psychological motivations behind flat Earth beliefs, suggesting that these beliefs are often intertwined with distrust of authority and scientific institutions 6.

3. Methodological Concerns: The methodologies employed by flat Earth advocates often lack scientific rigor. Many claims are based on selective interpretations of evidence or misunderstandings of physics and astronomy. For example, the argument that photographs of Earth from space are fabricated fails to account for the extensive verification processes involved in space missions 9.

4. Need for Further Information: While there is a wealth of information supporting the spherical Earth, additional research could focus on understanding the sociological aspects of why flat Earth beliefs persist despite overwhelming evidence to the contrary. Studies exploring the cognitive biases and social dynamics at play could provide deeper insights into this phenomenon.

Conclusion

Verdict: False

The claim that "the Earth is flat" is demonstrably false, as it contradicts a vast body of scientific evidence confirming the Earth's oblate spheroid shape. Key evidence supporting this verdict includes extensive satellite imagery, historical observations, and empirical data from various scientific disciplines. The scientific consensus is overwhelmingly in favor of a spherical Earth, with credible sources consistently debunking flat Earth arguments.

However, it is important to acknowledge that the persistence of flat Earth beliefs may be influenced by psychological and social factors, including a distrust of authority and a tendency to favor anecdotal over empirical evidence. While the evidence against flat Earth claims is robust, understanding the motivations behind these beliefs remains an area for further exploration.

Readers should be aware that while the evidence supporting the spherical Earth is strong, the complexities of human belief systems can lead to the continued propagation of false claims. It is crucial for individuals to critically evaluate information and seek out credible sources when confronted with controversial assertions.

Sources

1. The Flat Earth Theory: is Evidence-Based Physiotherapy a ... (https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8023606/)
2. How Do We Know the Earth Isn't Flat? We Asked a NASA Expert: Episode 53 (https://www.nasa.gov/earth/how-do-we-know-the-earth-isnt-flat-we-asked-a-nasa-expert-episode-53/)
3. Why do some people believe the Earth is flat? - Pursuit (https://pursuit.unimelb.edu.au/articles/why-do-some-people-believe-the-earth-is-flat)
4. Journal Articles - The Flat Earth and its Advocates: A List ... (https://guides.loc.gov/flat-earth/articles)
5. Flat Earth (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flat_Earth)
6. Flat Earthers: What They Believe and Why | Scientific American (https://www.scientificamerican.com/podcast/episode/flat-earthers-what-they-believe-and-why/)
7. Flat Earth | Theory, Model, Meaning, & Facts | Britannica (https://www.britannica.com/topic/flat-Earth)
8. Fact check roundup: Proof that the Earth is round - USA TODAY (https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/factcheck/2022/12/07/fact-check-roundup-what-scientists-say-flat-earth-evidence/10802218002/)
9. Seven Things That "Prove" The Earth Is Flat, According To Flat-Earthers (https://www.iflscience.com/seven-things-that-prove-the-earth-is-flat-according-to-flatearthers-49938)
10. Fighting flat-Earth theory (https://physicsworld.com/a/fighting-flat-earth-theory/)