Pythagoras Flashcards
Who is Pythagoras?
A Pre-Socratic philosopher, famous for his work in mathematics and the mystical aspects of numbers.
Where was Pythagoras from?
Samos, an island in the Aegean Sea.
Where did Pythagoras spend most of his life?
Croton, in southern Italy.
Why did Pythagoras leave Samos?
Possibly due to disagreements with the local tyrant, Polycrates.
What was the Pythagorean school known for?
Fusing philosophy with mathematics and religious teachings.
Did Pythagoras write any books?
No, he did not leave any written works.
How do we know about Pythagoras’ philosophy?
Through legends, myths, and writings of his followers.
What were the Pythagoreans’ views on mathematics?
They saw numbers as the fundamental building blocks of reality.
What was Pythagoras’ contribution to the Pythagorean theorem?
While he didn’t discover it, his followers are credited with its development.
What mystical beliefs did Pythagoras hold?
He believed in reincarnation and had strict dietary and ethical rules.
What are some famous rules associated with Pythagoreanism?
Not to eat beans or meat, avoid white roosters, and never bury corpses in woolen clothing.
What did the Pythagoreans think of numbers?
They considered numbers to be sacred and the key to understanding the universe.
What is the tetraktys?
The sum of the first four numbers (1 + 2 + 3 + 4 = 10), a sacred symbol in Pythagoreanism.
What did the Pythagoreans believe about the cosmos?
They believed the universe was structured around numbers and proportions.
What is the ‘harmony of the spheres’?
The idea that the celestial bodies move in harmony, according to mathematical proportions.
How did Pythagoreans view the relationship between mathematics and the physical world?
They believed that everything in the physical world could be explained through mathematical relationships.
What role did Pythagoras play in the development of philosophy?
He helped integrate mathematics and philosophy, influencing later thinkers like Plato.
What were the Pythagoreans’ ethical teachings?
They had a code of conduct focused on purity, discipline, and respect for life.
Who were the most prominent Pythagoreans after Pythagoras?
Philolaus, who advanced mathematical ideas, and other followers in the 5th century BC.
What is the ‘counter-Earth’?
A hypothetical hidden body in the cosmos, believed by Pythagoreans to explain certain astronomical phenomena.
What did Aristotle think of the Pythagorean view that reality is made of numbers?
He found it difficult to comprehend but acknowledged its influence on later philosophy and science.
What was Pythagoras’ relationship to Plato?
Plato was influenced by Pythagorean ideas, particularly in his dialogue Timaeus.
How did the Pythagoreans influence later philosophy?
Their focus on mathematics and numbers laid the groundwork for later philosophers and the development of scientific thought.
