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« on: December 24, 2009, 12:12:14 AM »
You know what? Telling people to read Earth Not a Globe is the dumbest thing you could possibly do.
Why?
Because in a nutshell, you don't even have to read beyond the first chapter:
"ZETETIC AND THEORETIC DEFINED AND COMPARED"
This very specifically describes the Zetetic method and philosophy. It also points out in a multitude of ways how 'theories' are not acceptable when compared to 'experiment', or 'observation', etc.
The heel here is that 'Parallax' himself describes the following:
"Let the method of simple inquiry--the "Zetetic" process be exclusively adopted--experiments tried and facts collected--not such only as corroborate an already existing state of mind, but of every kind and form bearing on the subject, before a conclusion is drawn, or a conviction affirmed."
Yet by the end of the chapter he states:
"If, to ascertain the true figure and condition of the earth, we adopt the "Zetetic" process, which truly is the only one sufficiently reliable, we shall find that instead of its being a globe--one of an infinite number of worlds moving on axes and in an orbit round the sun, it is the directly contrary--a Plane, without diurnal or progressive motion, and unaccompanied by anything in the firmament analogous to itself; or, in other words, that it is the only known material world."
He makes a declarative statement of theory, claiming that the only end result of the Zetetic process *SHALL* be that the Earth is flat and the only known material world.
In a nut shell, the entire book is full of contradictory anecdotes (so far - I am only half way through it. OMG it is like eating my spinach as a kid) and shoddy math.
Which is another *fact* that is quite predominant throughout ENaG: The math that 'Parallax' proclaims to be all powerful and enlightening, he skews and uses in such vagaries as to be almost laughable in a few places so far.
All this from someone that makes such astounding philosophical claims?
To top it all off, Tom constantly referring to this book is really enjoyable as he himself disputes the Zetetic method by not entertaining other ideas and possibilities just for starters... and picks and chooses what he likes or dismisses from it the rest of the time.
Whatever. I now deem ENaG completely and utterly PHAIL. I will finish it because I started it, and promised myself I would for the sake of the FE forums, but I say now that this book although interesting from a certain standpoint is just one man's viewpoint and philosophy, NOT some sort of scientific authority. Zetetic, Theoretic, Psychotic, or otherwise.
Take care,
- Optimus