Have you ever heard of the Flat Earth Society? They are a group founded in the mid-1800’s by a fellow named Samuel Birley Rowbotham, better known by his self-proclaimed moniker, “Parallax.”

The modern flat-earth movement was launched in England, in 1849, with the publication of a 16 page pamphlet, Zetetic Astronomy: A Description of Several Experiments which Prove that the Surface of the Sea Is a Perfect Plane and that the Earth Is Not a Globe! by “Parallax.” For the next 35 years, “Parallax” — his real name was Samuel Birley Rowbotham — toured England, attacking the spherical system in public lectures. His completely original system, still known to its adherents as “Zetetic Astronomy,” is best described in Rowbotham’s 430 page second edition of Earth Not a Globe, published in 1873.25

The essence of Zetetic Astronomy is as follows: The known world is a vast circular plane, with the north pole at the center and a 150 foot wall of ice at the “southern limit.”

Oddly enough, old Parallax himself was vehemently opposed to theorizing of all kinds. He considered himself a zetetic, “one who proceeds by inquiry,” after the fashion of the ancient schools of philosophical skepticism (ie, Pyrrhonism). Within the text of his pamphlet on Zetetic Astronomy (available here) he even proclaims boldly:

“Let the practise of theorising be abandoned as one oppressive to the reasoning powers, fatal to the full development of truth, and, in every sense, inimical to the solid progress of sound philosophy.”

And yet here we was trumpeting the theory (based on a literalist reading of certain Bible passages) that the earth is flat for some three and a half decades. It simply doesn’t add up, which is probably why it’s so bizarrely intriguing to me.

If nothing else, I recommend checking out the chapter in his book comparing the zetetic and theoretic approaches. He has some really excellent quotes on the power of questioning. Some highlights from that:

THE term Zetetic is derived from the Greek verb Zeteo; which means to search, or examine; to proceed only by inquiry; to take nothing for granted, but to trace phenomena to their immediate and demonstrable causes. It is here used in contradistinction from the word “theoretic,” the meaning of which is, speculative–imaginary–not tangible,–scheming, but not proving.

[…] Speculative men, by the force of genius may invent systems that will perhaps be greatly admired for a time; these, however, are phantoms which the force of truth will sooner or later dispel; and while we are pleased with the deceit, true philosophy with all the arts and improvements that depend upon it, suffers. The real state of things escapes our observation; or, if it presents itself to us, we are apt either to reject it wholly as fiction, or, by new efforts of a vain ingenuity to interweave it with our own conceits, and labour to make it tally with our favourite schemes.

[…] The foundations or premises are always unproved; no proof is ever attempted; the necessity for it is denied; it is considered sufficient that the assumptions seem to explain the phenomena selected. In this way it is that theory supplants theory, and system gives way to system, often in rapid succession, as one failure after another compels opinions to change. Until the practice of theorising is universally relinquished, philosophy will continue to be looked upon by the bulk of mankind as a vain and mumbling pretension, antagonistic to the highest aspirations of humanity.

[…] For how can he think honestly, who dreads his being landed in this or that conclusion? Such an one has already predetermined in his heart how he shall think, and what he shall believe. Perfect truth, like perfect love, casteth out fear.

[…] The “Zetetic” process is also the most natural method of investigation. Nature herself always teaches it; it is her own continual suggestion; children invariably seek information by asking questions, by earnestly inquiring from those around them. Fearlessly, anxiously, and without the slightest regard to consequences, question after question, in rapid and exciting succession, will often proceed from a child, until the most profound in learning and philosophy, will feel puzzled to reply; and often the searching cross-examinations of a mere natural tyro, can only be brought to an end by an order to retire–to bed –to school–to play–to anywhere–rather than that the fiery “Zetetic” ordeal shall be continued.

[…] Like a poor animal tied to a stake in the centre of a meadow, where it can only feed in a limited circle, the theoretical philosopher is tethered to his premises, enslaved by his own assumptions, and however great his talent, his influence, his opportunities, he can only rob his fellow men of their intellectual freedom and independence, and convert them into slaves like him-self.

Of course, the whole thing concludes with him saying that if we truly follow the Zetetic Process, then we will find that the earth is actually a plane, rather than a sphere. So, you have to take that for whatever it’s worth to you. But I really like all this business about the zetetic process and an end to theorization. It all reminds me of another fun David Lynch quote:

“I don’t think that people accept the fact that life doesn’t make sense. I think it makes people terribly uncomfortable. It seems like religion and myth were invented against that, trying to make sense out of it.”

It seems very likely that we could include science in that list. I’m not here necessarily saying that life doesn’t make sense, so much as we have some kind of inborn need to have it make sense, and we then expend an enormous amount of effort into making it so. What happens if we simply stop making sense though, and just let things be what they are? Is that even possible?