Pythagoreanism is one of the oldest philosophical schools in the world. Named after the famous ancient Greek philosopher Pythagoras of Samos, it is widely respected as the first formal school of philosophy. The schools founders contended that the mathematical relation expressed by the Pythagorean theorem exemplified a larger cosmic order, an order which governed the cosmos and all its parts. This cosmic order, which is often referred to as the harmony of the spheres, is thought to be the basis for many of Pythagoras moral theories.
Pythagoras philosophy is one of Natures harmonic ratios. According to the school, Nature itself can be understood through mathematics and proportion. All matter, such as the sun and the stars, can be reduced to a geometric whole through the use of the Pythagorean theorem and other related mathematical relations. Pythagoreans believed these mathematical relationships which were the basis of the cosmic order, were universal and inextricably linked to the beauty and harmony of nature.
The Pythagorean school offered an alternative to the cosmology of the time which was based on the principle of chance. This philosophical school proposed that patterns of mathematical proportion found in the physical world offered evidence that there was a hidden order behind them. This theory was based on the belief that the harmony of the universe was composed of number ratios, that could be explained by the principles of geometry.
The Pythagorean school further suggested that matter was made up of many geometric figures that could be identified and classified according to their individual properties. These figures were considered to be the building blocks of the universe and it was believed that they could be altered to create new forms. Pythagoreans believed that by understanding and controlling the compositional structure of matter, mankind could gain control of the environment, and manipulate the elements of nature.
This school of thought is credited with having revolutionized science and mathematics by introducing the concept of experimentation and observation. Pythagoreans believed that knowledge of the universe could be achieved through systematic inquiries and experiments designed to determine mathematical and geometric relationships between the known physical universe and its components.
In addition to his mathematical theories, Pythagoras is known for his ethical and moral teachings. Pythagoras proposed that all creatures, human and non-human, were part of the divine order which he identified as ‘theology’ or ‘theosophy’. This concept was in stark contrast to the prevailing views of morality which believed that morality was relative and depended on the circumstances. Pythagoras argued against this and proposed that there was a universal code of morality which could be adhered to regardless of individual circumstance.
The legacy of Pythagoreanism continues to influence philosophy, mathematics, and science to this day. The influence of this school of thought can be seen in areas such as medicine, astronomy and cosmology, music, and even architecture. The Pythagorean theorem has been used to explain the geometric relationships between planets and stars, while the concepts and theories of balance, harmony and proportion have inspired architects, designers and artists to create works of beauty and enduring value. The principles and theories set forward by the Pythagorean school of thought remain as valid and relevant today as they did twenty-five centuries ago.