Categories: Alternative conceptions
An example of historical ideas now considered alternative conceptions
"The opinions of Anaxagoras & Zenophanes that were either stones drawn up from our earth by the aether or coals fired by blazing clouds are so childish and ridiculous that only to mention is sufficient to refute them, that the aether should attract stones up into it is not probable because if it did so formerly why should it not continue to do so still." [spellings modernised]
John Flamsteed (1975) Lecture 22, 24 January 1862/3, in The Gresham Lectures of John Flamsteed (Editor: Eric G. Forbes), London: Mansell Information Publishing Ltd.
Flamsteed does not have a high opinion of the notion that comets are produced form material drawn up by the aether – but not because he rejects the existence of the aether itself.
