Pythagoras theorized that the Earth was a sphere. He didn't base this conclusion on scientific observation, but rather on his philosophical and aesthetic beliefs.
Pythagoras (c. 570 – c. 495 BCE), a Greek mathematician and philosopher, is credited with proposing that the Earth is spherical. This wasn't based on empirical evidence or scientific measurement, but instead stemmed from the following rationale:
- The Perfection of the Sphere: Pythagoras believed the sphere to be the most perfect geometric shape.
- Divine Creation: He reasoned that the gods would have created the Earth in the most perfect form possible, therefore it must be a sphere.
In summary, Pythagoras' theory about the Earth's shape was that it was a sphere due to its inherent perfection and the belief that divine beings would create the world in a perfect form. This was a philosophical argument rather than a scientific deduction.
