Chapter 3 - Pythagoras

(Originally written July 1, 2006 in Book 2)

The History of Western Philosophy
Bertrand Russell
1974

Chapter 3 - Pythagoras

Pythagoras was one of the most important men intellectually of all time. Mathematics as a demonstrative deductive argument began with Pythagoras.

Native of Samos circa 532 BC, Pythagoras was either a son of an important citizen or the child of Apollo.

Pythagoras disliked Polycrates, the tyrant of Samos and his artistic, immoral, pirate government and left. Pythagoras settled in Croton in Southern Italy, one of the most populated and greatest Greek cities in Italy. The Greek cities in Italy fought each other fiercely. Croton was known for its medicine.

Pythagoras founded a society of disciples that became influential in Croton. Eventually the citizens turned agains them and Pythagoras and his followers left for Metapontion Calso in Southern Italy where he died.

While he quickly became a legend after his death, he in reality founded a school of mathematics.

Pythagoras founded a religion based on the transmigration of souls and the sinfulness of eating beans.

Here are some of Pythagoras' rules:
"1. To abstain from beans
2. Not to pick up what has fallen.
3. Not to touch a white cock.
4. Not to break bread.
5. Not to step over a cross bar.
6. Not to stir the fire with iron.
7. Not to eat from a whole loaf.
8. Not to pluck a garland.
9. Not to sit on a quart measure.
10. Not to eat the heart.
11. Not to walk on highways
12. Not to let swallows share one's roof.
13. When the pot is taken off the fire, not to leave the mark of it in the ashes, but to stir them together.
14. Do not look in a mirror beside a light.
15. When you rise from the bed clothes, roll them together and smooth out the impress of the body" (Russell, 31-32).

Pythagoras believed:
1. The soul is immortal
2. The soul transformed into other kinds of things
3. Reincarnation of the soul

Like St. Francis, Pythagoras is reported to have preached to animals.

Pythagoras' society:
1. held men and women as equals
2. held common property

Three types of men according to Pythagoreans:
1. Low - the buyers and sellers
2. Middle - Participants
3. High - Onlookers/contemplators

Pythagoras was a disinterested scientist. Pythagoras devoted himself to the joy of enlightenment of theory and mathematics.

Pythagoras based his life and ethical theory on contemplation, pure thought.

Pythagoras' influence was huge on a number of people and movements: Plato, Descartes, Kant, Euclid, Christian Theology and Personal Religion.

Religion has been influenced by mathematics ever since Pythagoras. Kant, Plato, Aquinas, Augustine, Spinoza and others blended religion and reasoning.

Christianity derived the theory of Christ as the Word and led theology to produce rational proofs for God and morality because of Pythagoras.