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Single Idea 403

[filed under theme 27. Natural Reality / E. Cosmology / 1. Cosmology ]

Full Idea

Clearly the earth is round and not of great size, because when we move north or south we find that very different stars are visible.

Gist of Idea

The earth must be round and of limited size, because moving north or south makes different stars visible

Source

Aristotle (On the Heavens [c.336 BCE], 297b30)

Book Ref

Aristotle: 'On the Heavens I and II', ed/tr. Leggatt,Stuart [Aris and Phillips 1995], p.167


The 12 ideas from 'On the Heavens'

Aether moves in circles and is imperishable; the four elements perish, and move in straight lines [Aristotle, by Gill,ML]
An unworn sandal is in vain, but nothing in nature is in vain [Aristotle]
It seems possible that there exists a limited number of other worlds apart from this one [Aristotle]
There has to be some goal, and not just movement to infinity [Aristotle]
Everyone agrees that the world had a beginning, but thinkers disagree over whether it will end [Aristotle]
Each thing that has a function is for the sake of that function [Aristotle]
If the more you raise some earth the faster it moves, why does the whole earth not move? [Aristotle]
A very hungry man cannot choose between equidistant piles of food [Aristotle]
The Earth must be spherical, because it casts a convex shadow on the moon [Aristotle]
The earth must be round and of limited size, because moving north or south makes different stars visible [Aristotle]
An element is what bodies are analysed into, and won't itself divide into something else [Aristotle]
Void is a kind of place, so it can't explain place [Aristotle]