Pythagorean School

Definition

The Pythagorean School was an ancient philosophical and religious movement founded by Pythagoras in the 6th century BCE, focusing on mathematics, ethics, and the belief in the transmigration of souls. This group emphasized the importance of numbers and their relationships, claiming that understanding these could lead to a greater understanding of the universe. The school’s ideas profoundly influenced later philosophical thought, particularly in mathematics and metaphysics.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Pythagoras is credited with founding the Pythagorean School around 530 BCE in Croton, Italy, where he attracted followers who shared his interests in mathematics and philosophy.
2. Members of the Pythagorean School lived a communal lifestyle and followed strict rules regarding diet, behavior, and study, often focusing on asceticism and self-discipline.
3. The Pythagoreans believed that numbers were the essence of all things, leading them to study various mathematical concepts that formed the basis for later developments in geometry and number theory.
4. The influence of the Pythagorean School extended beyond mathematics; their ideas about ethics and metaphysics shaped early philosophical thought and were adopted by later philosophers such as Plato.
5. Pythagoreanism also included mystical elements, with beliefs in divine numbers and their significance in understanding both the physical world and spiritual truths.

Review Questions

• How did the Pythagorean School contribute to our understanding of mathematics and philosophy?
  • The Pythagorean School made significant contributions to both mathematics and philosophy by emphasizing the importance of numbers and their relationships. They developed foundational concepts like the Pythagorean Theorem, which remains a crucial element in geometry today. Additionally, their belief that numbers held metaphysical significance influenced philosophical thought about reality and existence, impacting figures like Plato who integrated these ideas into his own work.
• Discuss the communal lifestyle of the Pythagoreans and how it reflected their beliefs.
  • The communal lifestyle of the Pythagoreans reflected their beliefs in discipline, self-control, and harmony. Members lived together, adhered to strict dietary restrictions, and engaged in collective study and practice. This way of life was designed to foster an environment where they could focus on intellectual pursuits while adhering to their ethical principles. Their emphasis on community and shared values underscored their views on unity and the interconnectedness of all things.
• Evaluate the long-term impact of Pythagorean thought on later philosophical traditions.
  • The long-term impact of Pythagorean thought on later philosophical traditions is evident in various fields such as mathematics, ethics, and metaphysics. Their emphasis on numerical relationships laid a groundwork for subsequent developments in mathematical theory that would influence scholars throughout history. Additionally, concepts like the transmigration of souls enriched discussions on ethics and morality. Philosophers such as Plato adopted Pythagorean ideas into their own systems, showcasing how Pythagoreanism contributed to shaping Western philosophical discourse.

Related terms

Pythagorean Theorem: A fundamental principle in geometry attributed to Pythagoras, stating that in a right triangle, the square of the length of the hypotenuse is equal to the sum of the squares of the lengths of the other two sides.

Transmigration of Souls: The Pythagorean belief that souls are immortal and are reborn into new bodies after death, reflecting their ethical choices in previous lives.

Harmony of the Spheres: A Pythagorean concept suggesting that celestial bodies move according to mathematical equations, which correspond to musical notes and create a cosmic harmony.