The Immortal Soul of Numbers: Pythagoras
History of Philosophy 2
Pythagoras is one of the most enigmatic figures in history. On the one hand, he is a genius comparable to Einstein, known for his discovery of Pythagoras’ theorem in geometry: “The square of the hypotenuse is equal to the sum of the squares of the other two sides adjacent to the right angle.” On the other hand, as the leader of his community, Pythagoras instituted peculiar rules, including the prohibition of eating beans, avoiding certain practices like crossing a line drawn on the floor, or refraining from looking into a mirror next to a lamp.
While these rules may seem incomprehensible and strange from today’s perspective, the community of Pythagoras has equally fascinating and commendable characteristics. For example, women enjoy the same rights as men, and property is managed communally, promoting a kind of communal lifestyle. Moreover, any invention or mathematical discovery is not attributed solely to one individual but rather credited to the entire community, reflecting a spirit of collaboration and equality.
Pythagoras’ philosophy holds great importance in the history of philosophy, as it fundamentally alters the purpose and nature of philosophical inquiry. According to him, philosophy is not merely about uncovering the essence of nature and truth. Instead, it should seek answers to the question: “How should one lead a righteous life?”. It can thus be said that the perspective of philosophy shifts from the mere exploration of nature to a spiritual realm. In this way, we witness a transition from physics and science to moral philosophy.
The Arkhe of the Universe is Numbers
According to Pythagoras, the arkhe of the universe is not something tangible; instead, the arkhe is measure and proportion. The concept of the arkhe is not a concrete source but rather a principle that governs everything. Pythagoras posits that arithmetic and geometric relationships determine the entire universe. Similar to Anaximenes, who reduced all qualitative differences in nature to quantitative differences, Pythagoras takes it a step further by suggesting that all physics can ultimately be reduced to mathematics.
When it’s said that the arkhe of the universe is numbers, one might initially think of the idea that all existing objects contain numbers. However, it’s not quite as literal as that. This concept does not refer to the numbers we use today or Roman numerals. Rather, it implies that all existing things exhibit a geometric pattern. Allow me to elaborate further on this argument: In Pythagorean philosophy, to determine the essence or numerical value of a human or horse, practitioners would arrange stones resembling the shape of a horse or human into a geometric pattern. They would then assert that the number of stones in this geometric arrangement corresponds to the numerical value of that object.
In Pythagorean philosophy, the number of a family is three. It consists of three elements such as the mother, the father, and the children. Pythagoreans attempt to establish a relationship between physical objects and the numbers corresponding to those objects, asserting that numbers give concrete form to existing abstract concepts.
Harmony In the Universe
The Pythagoreans also adhere to the notion, akin to Anaximander’s idea, that “what brings harmony in the universe is the coexistence of opposites.” The prevailing belief is that all opposing elements, through their interaction and conflict, contribute to the balance and harmony observed in nature. It is said that the Pythagoreans were the first to use the word “cosmos” This is because they believed that the universe itself was a beautiful cosmos with a regular principle. Interestingly, the word “cosmos”,” which means a beautiful universe, later evolved into another word that has reached us today. Can you guess which word it is? “Cosmetics” I find etymology fascinating! When I come across such transformations or notice such linguistic connections, I get really excited. Today’s word “cosmetics”, which aims to enhance a person’s beauty, comes from the Greek word “kozmos”
For those interested in music theory, Pythagorean philosophy is truly fascinating. This is because Pythagoreans placed special emphasis on music. They believed that the coexistence of opposites, their transformation into one another, and the concepts of harmony and consonance were best illustrated through music. Through research and the study of music, they delved deeply into harmony and acoustics. Moreover, their reverence and passion for music were so profound that they attempted to draw connections between music and astronomy. They proposed that similar intervals existed between the sun, moon, and Earth as those found in musical intervals and pitches.
Soul is Immortal
When Pythagoreanism is mentioned, the second most important concept that should come to mind is the doctrine of the ‘transmigration of souls’.
According to Pythagoras, the soul is immortal, and it undergoes continuous transmigration from one body to another within a specific cycle of movements. The defining factor of this reincarnation is determined by the moral conduct of the individual in their previous life. If one’s actions were sinful and wicked, they would be reborn into a lower form of existence in the next life compared to their current body. In some cases, individuals may even be reborn as animals.
Pythagoras posited that everything possesses a human soul, implying that current animals were once humans who lived sinful and wicked lives in their previous existence. Consequently, Pythagoreans abstained from consuming meat from animals, as they believed that the animal one consumes could have been a beloved individual in their previous life. It is even said that Pythagoras preached to animals due to this belief. This ethical standpoint encourages a profound sense of interconnectedness and empathy. In this perspective, holding enmity towards others becomes untenable, as the person one perceives as an enemy could have been deeply loved in a previous life or might not have been as reprehensible as perceived.
They believe that everything is interconnected, leading to the formation of a remarkable ethical framework. Consequently, they exhibit great respect towards animals. Through the teachings of their sect, they endeavor to free the soul from the confines of the physical body and thereby break the cycle of rebirth, ultimately bringing tranquility to the immortal soul. It’s worth noting that similar ideas were already present in both Egypt and India.
I’d like to delve into what propelled Pythagoreanism to such a distinctive position. It’s fascinating to consider the myriad of directions this topic could lead to. Pythagoras notably introduced the concept of separating the body and the soul, marking the inception of the dualism between soul and body, a notion that would reverberate throughout centuries in the history of philosophy and exert a profound influence in religious history as well. Consequently, the body came to be perceived as inferior, while the soul was accentuated. By asserting that the essence of existence resides in the soul, Pythagoras established a dichotomy between the material and the ideal. This, in turn, ignited a protracted debate that would endure for centuries in the annals of philosophy, encompassing discussions on materialism, idealism, and dualism.
Pythagoras’ ideas later left an indelible mark on various aspects of Plato and Aristotle’s philosophies, including the notion that everything in the universe is governed by mathematical relationships. This concept would go on to influence later luminaries such as Galileo, Kepler, and Copernicus. From this perspective, Pythagoras emerges as a crucial and pivotal figure in the development of philosophical and scientific thought.
