One Hundred Proofs That the Earth Is Not a Globe

Metadata

Gutenberg ID

55387

Title

One Hundred Proofs That the Earth Is Not a Globe

Language

en

Book source

Project Gutenberg

Description max 80 words

William Carpenter presents a collection of arguments challenging the heliocentric model and the spherical shape of the Earth. Drawing on observations of horizons, ship movements, and celestial mechanics, this work advocates for a flat, stationary Earth, inviting readers to question established astronomical theories through common sense and direct observation.

Summary up to 500 words

Published in 1885, William Carpenter's *One Hundred Proofs That the Earth Is Not a Globe* is a polemical pamphlet compiling arguments against the heliocentric model and the spherical shape of the Earth. Carpenter dedicates the work ironically to Richard A. Proctor, labeling him the 'greatest astronomer of the age' while simultaneously critiquing his reliance on unscrutinized theories. The text champions 'Zetetic Philosophy,' a movement founded by Samuel B. Rowbotham that prioritizes direct observation and common sense over complex mathematical models. Carpenter asserts that standing water is perfectly level and that the horizon is a straight line, dismissing the idea that ships disappear over a curved horizon; he claims telescopes can restore the view of a ship's hull, a feat he argues would be impossible on a globe. He further contends that if the Earth rotated, balloons would be left behind and the Moon would reflect sunlight differently than observed. The author challenges the concept of antipodes, suggesting the Earth is surrounded by an icy barrier rather than having people living upside down. Carpenter details a wager between John Hampden and Alfred R. Wallace, interpreting Wallace's failure to detect curvature over six miles as definitive proof of a flat surface. The pamphlet includes a dialogue where a student rejects the spinning Earth theory and letters to Johns Hopkins University President Daniel C. Gilman, urging the institution to investigate these claims. Throughout the text, Carpenter dismisses astronomical calculations regarding the Sun's distance and the Earth's age as absurdities born of false assumptions. He concludes that the Earth is a stationary plane created for humanity, urging readers to discard established ideas in favor of a new understanding derived from simple observation.

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2.5/5

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Categories

• Science
• Earth