geni wrote:
On 7/7/07, Ray Saintonge saintonge@telus.net wrote:
The oblate spheroid shape of the earth was not likely observable in Aristotle's time. Such a deviation from Aristotle's conclusion that the Earth was a sphere is trivial.
No because the Aristotelian model assumed perfect geometric shapes (see the shape of the orbitals). The perfect sphere thing also runs into problems if you manage to spot Baily's beads during an eclipse.
Did Aristotle ever observe Baily's beads? How perfect is a perfect sphere. Aristotle never denied the existence of hills and mountains.
Such a deviation was not trivial at all then because it would involve tearing apart a key part of the model.
It's trivial enough to be beyond the observational powers of the time.
It's prmature to suggest that failing to mention Popper was indecent.
Ec
Popper provides us with a complete philosophy. Einstein less so
It also slows down the rate with which we can bring up Imre Lakatos and then Paul Feyerabend and start punching holes on the claim.
Charlotte did not mention falsificationism and Popper, you did. You also introduced the word "decent." It is presumptuous to suggest that she even knew about Popper.
Ec