Physical Form
In the ancient past there were varying levels of belief in a flat Earth, with the Mesopotamian culture portraying the world as a flat disk afloat in an ocean. The spherical form of the Earth was suggested by early Greek philosophers; a belief espoused by Pythagoras. By the Middle Ages—as evidenced by thinkers such as Thomas Aquinas—European belief in a spherical Earth was widespread. Prior to circumnavigation of the planet and the introduction of space flight, belief in a spherical Earth was based on observations of the secondary effects of the Earth's shape and parallels drawn with the shape of other planets.
Read more about this topic: Earth In Culture
Famous quotes containing the words physical and/or form:
“Dance is bigger than the physical body. ...When you extend your arm, it doesnt stop at the end of your fingers, because youre dancing bigger than that; youre dancing spirit.”
—Judith Jamison (b. 1943)
“In every form of womanly love something of motherly love also comes to light.”
—Friedrich Nietzsche (18441900)