Pythagoras: Ancient Greek Philosopher and Founder of Pythagoreanism
Pythagoras is an ancient Ionian Greek philosopher and the founder of Pythagoreanism. His political teachings were influential in Magna Graecia and beyond, influencing the works of Plato and Aristotle and later Western philosophy.
Platonic Conception of Pythagoras
The Platonic conception of Pythagoras is often described as a rebel, a man who was a rebel against the powers of Croton. He initiated the study of mathematics and the natural world, and is therefore often associated with it.
Pythagoreanism: A Philosophy of the Fifth and Fourth Centuries BCE
Pythagoreanism is a philosophy that developed in the fifth and first half of the fourth centuries BCE. Aristotle refers to these Pythagoreans as "so-called Pythagoreans," but this expression suggests that they were not necessarily called Pythagoreans. This makes Aristotle's view of Pythagoras questionable.
Although the acusmatici remained closely linked to the aristotelianism of Pythagoras, they were not full-time philosophers. Their main function was to preserve the oral taboos of Pythagoras. The acusmatici, on the other hand, do not appear in Iamblichus' list of Pythagoras' pupils, and do not appear in his catalogue of Pythagoras' followers.
Pythagoras' Cosmological Scheme
Pythagoras' Cosmological scheme was influential for a number of reasons. He emphasized the importance of a center, or monad, in any system. In other words, nothing could exist without it. The monad was also referred to as the "first", "essence," or "foundation." Pythagoras also believed that the monad was a god, or good. As a seed, the monad also preserved the identities of all other numbers, including the zero.
Pythagoras' philosophies centered around the idea that reality is mathematical. The Pythagoreans believed that there were certain principles behind the relationships between numbers and the world. These principles became the foundation for traditional Western thinking.
Teachings on the Soul
Although Pythagoras' teaching on the soul is fragmentary, there is some evidence that he believed that the soul is a transmigrating entity. He uses the word psyche to refer to the soul as a whole. The psyche is the seat of the individual's emotions and is located in the heart, along with the faculty of sensation. This faculty is also shared by animals and plants. This implies that Pythagoras thought the soul is a transmigrating being, and that the soul has the ability to reincarnate.
In addition to addressing the question of reincarnation and the nature of the soul, Pythagoras was also an expert in the field of religious ritual. His thigh of gold was an infamous miracle, and he was also the founder of a strict life style that stressed self discipline, religious ritual, and dietary restrictions.
Life of Pythagoras
Although little is known about the life of Pythagoras, his teachings are influential. These teachings influenced Plato, who made them the foundation for philosophy. Their influence is still felt throughout the world today. To learn more about Pythagoras' life and work, visit the World History Encyclopedia. It is a non-profit organization and you can become a member for as little as $5 per month.
While there are numerous versions of Pythagoras' life, it is not possible to know all of them with any degree of certainty. The sources used for Pythagoras' biography are mostly from the third century CE. Some of the earliest biographies of Pythagoras are very limited, but they are largely reliable.
Legacy of Pythagoras
One of Pythagoras' most famous quotes is "Number rules the universe." Many of his discoveries have contributed to the advancement of science, engineering, and philosophy. His legacy is profound, and is worth exploring in depth. In this article, we'll look at some of the most important discoveries he left behind.
Among his many achievements is his enduring influence on Western philosophy. His ideas have had more profound effects on the course of Western thought than any other single man before him. His works have inspired several generations of thinkers, including Aristotle, Plato, Ptolemy, and Bertrand Russell.
One of Pythagoras' most profound legacy contributions is the idea of eternal recurrence. He argued that after death, all life would start over and this fact urged people to spend their time wisely. His philosophies on time and virtuous behavior were important to Plato's philosophy.
