why do we still say "Sun rises in the east and sets in the west" when we know sun doesnt move around earth

Question

I think therefore I ask

Answer 1

Because the sun does rise in the east and set in the west.

We do know now that the reason is not because the sun is revolving around the earth, but because the earth spins on its axis.

Answer 2

because relative to a person on the earth, the sun appears to rise in the east, and set in the west. And because the phrase is so common why change it. what would you rather we use?
We could say " the sun appears to be rising in the east from this location" or "the earths rotation is making the sun come into view over the eastern horizon" but really these are longer to say and the effect is the same.

then again what do i know, i still call my music cd's "albums" even though they are not records., and i still call DVD movies videos even though they are not on video tapes

some things while wrong, are just so well known, everyone knows what you mean anyway.

Answer 3

Because the fact that the Sun transits across the sky from east to west has nothing to with whether the Sun revolves around us, or we it.

If the Sun did revolve around the Earth, which it doesn't but IF it did, then as long as it did so in the same direction it would still transit the sky from east to west.

Answer 4

Even the heliocentric view is an approximation. The solar system orbits the Galaxy. The Galaxy moves in various ways. The closest thing i've seen to a preferred inertial reference is the cosmic microwave background radiation. The CMBR maps that are published subtract out the CMBR dipole. But that's not a place, just a velocity vector.

Answer 5

We tend to generate understanding of ideas through metaphor and analogy in language. It's easier, quicker and elicits more visualization. If I said to someone who wanted to know the status of the day " the earth just rotated a minute degree such that the sun is no longer visible relative to my location", it would be long winded and tedious, especially if we communicated everything that way.

Answer 6

Cogito, ergo what?

Well, the apparent motion of the sun is from east to west, so people just say that. It's not science...

Answer 7

Because thats what we see, even if as you say the sun doesnt move around earth.

Hope this helps.

Good Luck.

Answer 8

Pure visual observation, Now it's a conventionally accepted expression despite the fact that most of the world knows it's wrong.

Answer 9

It still sets and rises in relation to Earth. I don't understand what you aren't getting.

Answer 10

Perception