Good points all, but I don't mind taking this shortcut when it comes to the question: "How do we know the Earth is spheroid?"Forty Two wrote:We need the thought experiments so people learn to figure stuff out, and not just parrot what they're told or believe the pictures they see.
If we go by what we "observe" then indeed, flat earthers are doing that. As Asimov wrote in the piece to which I linked, the flat Earth theory was very nearly right, which is why it persisted for so long.
Of course the photo evidence is good, but it also relies on the accuracy of the photograph and the veracity of the photographer. The methods in the article I linked to do not rely on photographs.
One could also take a flight in an airplane, and see evidence of the curvature of the Earth, but for people to really understand science and also critical analysis (real critical analysis of information), they have to be able to think. And, Flat Earth is a really good example to use with people to show how most of them will laugh at a Flat Earther without being able to demonstrate why they believe the Earth is spherical.
It's also important to force oneself to justify what one thinks is the most obvious or the things most taken for granted. I'm not saying people ought to waste their whole lives doing that. But, it's important to have done it. Why do I believe what I believe? People often believe in gods the same way they believe the Earth is round or flat - it seems obvious to them - it seems unquestionable, a given. It's by examining our most dearly held beliefs or our foregone conclusions that we learn both wisdom and humility, and we stop mocking and laughing at people who lack such wisdom, humility or the wit to figure things out.
Saves a lot of time wasted on arguing with terminally stupid/crazy people. It can be fun arguing with them, but trying to make them aware of the error of their ways is an exercise in futility.
