Flat Earth vs. Round Earth - Argumentative Essay

Introduction

Over time there have been questions concerning whether the earth is flat or it is indeed round. This subject has raised the interests of the various philosophers who have come up with theories and ideas, with the aim supporting their claims. In the following literature I am going to put out facts about both the flat earth and the round earth theories, consequently, determining my ground on which theory best stands out to be accepted (Stepnisky 420).

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To date, a number of people believe that the earth is indeed flat and reject the round earth theory that they deem to be a conspiracy. Flat-earthers raise viable arguments that the earth is a flat disk which is surrounded entirely on both sides with huge walls made of ice. They believe that this ice wall is what is known as today's Antarctica. Moreover, they believe mystery past the earth wall is not known and whoever was able to bypass the massive ice wall has never been able to return to tell the story of what lies past Antarctica (Brandon 27).

In addition, the moon and earth are believed to be of the same size in diameter. Both the moon and the sun measure 32 miles in diameter. These two rotate around the flat earth disk giving forth different phenomena that are experienced on earth. The sun rotates producing the day effect onto the earth, whereas, the moon counters the sun on the other half of the flat earth disk producing the dark effect. All these processes happen in a span of 12 hours and so a typical day has 12 daytime hours and 12 nighttime hours.

With the knowledge about the nature of flat earth, the round earth believers have come up with even more elaborate explanation counteracting the flat earth theory. They believe the earth is round from the fact that when a person visits the harbor they can be able to tell the earth is round by the nature of which a ship sails from the sea to the harbor. The ship is not seen approaching from the distance, however, first the smoke is seen from the distance, then the top of the ship such as the mast. Finally, the whole ship is seen as it reaches the harbor (Padalkar and Jayashree 65).

Moreover, witnessing the lunar eclipse gives all the proof to support the round earth theory. During the lunar eclipse, the earth passes between the moon and the sun. The sun then projects the shadow from the earth onto the moon. The earth's shadow on the moon is seen to be circular disputing the fact that the earth is actually round

Finally, space photographs by the international space stations such as NASA bring forth interesting findings. These photographs show all the other planets to be spherical. The earth is part of the solar system, hence, it can be of no exception but to also be spherical.

Conclusion

Various explanations have been brought forth to explain the two antagonizing theories on the shape of the earth. The Flat earth theory is seen to be based on a people's belief (Stepnisky 420). However, the round earth theory is based on tried and tested claims that are practically proving the earth is actually round. Therefore, my take is logically based that the earth is indeed round and the flat earth theory is to be rejected and treated with the contempt it deserves.

Works Cited

Brandon, Mark. "Flat Earth". New Scientist, vol 202, no. 2714, 2009, p. 27. Elsevier BV, doi:10.1016/s0262-4079(09)61712-7.

Padalkar, Shamin, and Jayashree Ramadas. "Modeling The Round Earth Through Diagrams". Astronomy Education Review, vol 6, no. 2, 2007, pp. 54-74. Portico, doi:10.3847/aer2007018.

Stepnisky, Jeffrey. "Social Psychology From Flat To Round: Intersubjectivity And Space In Peter Sloterdijk'sbubbles". Journal For The Theory Of Social Behaviour, vol 44, no. 4, 2014, pp. 413-435. Wiley-Blackwell, doi:10.1111/jtsb.12060.