Pythagorism is a term used to describe the philosophy of Pythagoras, a Greek mathematician and philosopher who lived in the 6th century BC. The word is spelled with a "y" instead of an "i" in the first syllable because it comes from the Greek name Pythagoras, which is spelled with a "y" in English. The pronunciation of the word is /paɪˈθæɡəˌrɪzəm/, with the stress on the second syllable and a short "a" sound in the third syllable.
Pythagorism is a philosophical and religious system founded by the ancient Greek mathematician and mystic, Pythagoras. It encompasses a wide range of beliefs and practices that revolve around the idea that numbers and mathematics have supreme importance in understanding the natural world and the universe as a whole. Pythagoras and his followers believed that everything in existence can be explained in terms of numbers and geometric relationships.
At its core, Pythagorism promotes the notion of a harmony between numbers, music, and the cosmos. It posits that numerical patterns and ratios govern the fundamental structure of reality and that knowledge of these mathematical principles can lead to a deeper understanding of the world and its mysteries. Moreover, Pythagorism advocates for the idea of the transmigration of souls, holding that all living beings possess immortal souls that reincarnate in successive lives.
Pythagorism is also associated with a set of ethical teachings, emphasizing principles such as self-control, moderation, and the pursuit of wisdom. Pythagoras taught his disciples to adhere to a disciplined and ascetic lifestyle, including dietary restrictions and various forms of purification. Additionally, Pythagorism promoted communal living and the idea of a shared intellectual and spiritual pursuit, creating a sense of unity and cooperation among its practitioners.
Despite Pythagorism declining as a formal school of thought after Pythagoras' death, its influence can be seen in numerous subsequent philosophical and scientific developments. The Pythagorean theorem, a fundamental geometric principle, is perhaps the most renowned legacy of this ancient school of thought. The impact of Pythagorism extends beyond mathematics, as it profoundly shaped broader Western philosophy and spirituality.
The doctrines or teachings of Pythagoras, an anc. Greek philosopher who taught that the solution of the principal philosophical problems is to be sought for in the study of mathematical relations, and who is popularly esteemed the author of the doctrine of the transmigration of souls through different orders of animal existence.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
The word "Pythagorism" is derived from the name of the ancient Greek philosopher Pythagoras. Pythagoras was a renowned philosopher and mathematician who lived in the 6th century BCE. He founded a philosophical and religious movement known as Pythagoreanism, which placed great emphasis on the study of numbers, mathematics, and the concept of the soul. Pythagoreanism had a profound influence on subsequent Greek philosophy and played a significant role in shaping Western philosophical traditions. The term "Pythagorism" is thus used to refer to the philosophical doctrines and beliefs associated with Pythagoras and his followers.