You're basically arguing that it's unscientific to climb to a higher vantage point to get better bearings

It is unscientific to merely look, yes. Science (empiricism) requires measurement - for very good reason. It is not easier to measure things as you get farther and farther away from them.

It is both stupid and unscientific to go away from the earth, high in the sky, to measure the shape of the world. That is not the same thing as your misinterpretation, no.

You're basically arguing that it's unscientific to climb to a higher vantage point to get better bearings

It is unscientific to merely look, yes. Science (empiricism) requires measurement - for very good reason. It is not easier to measure things as you get farther and farther away from them.

It is both stupid and unscientific go away from the earth, high in the sky, to measure the shape of the world. That is not the same thing as your misinterpretation, no.