TLDR;
This video explores the life, philosophy, and influence of Pythagoras, a prominent figure in ancient Greek philosophy. It covers his biographical details, the founding of his school in Crotona, and the intertwining of his philosophical ideas with religious elements from Orphism. The video also discusses the Pythagorean concept of the soul, its connection to harmony, and their mystical view of numbers as the foundation of all things.
- Pythagoras was born in Samos around 580 BC and later founded his school in Crotona, Italy.
- The Pythagorean school combined philosophy with religious elements from Orphism.
- Central to Pythagorean philosophy is the concept of the soul as immortal, immaterial, and linked to cosmic harmony.
- Pythagoreans believed numbers were the foundation of all things, imbuing them with mystical significance.
Biographical Notes and the Founding of the Pythagorean School [0:36]
Pythagoras was born on the island of Samos around 580 BC and died around 497 BC. Due to the Persian invasion of Asia Minor, he fled to Crotona in southern Italy, where he established his school, known as the Pythagorean school or the Pythagoreans. This school was unique in that it combined philosophical teachings with religious elements, particularly those of Orphism, marking a significant shift from earlier philosophers.
The Intertwining of Philosophy and Religion in Pythagorean Thought [1:38]
The Pythagorean school intertwined philosophy with religious elements from Orphism. Pythagoras introduced religious elements such as dualism (the concept of man being composed of soul and body), sacrifices through rituals, the idea of original sin, and the final judgment. This approach contrasted with earlier philosophers like Thales, Anaximenes, and Anaximander, who focused on cosmology and finding the first principle to explain the origin of the cosmos.
The Pythagorean Concept of the Soul [4:30]
Pythagoras introduced the concept of the soul into Greek philosophy. The soul, according to the Pythagoreans, is an incorruptible, immaterial, and eternal entity that accompanies the body and is the source of life. They believed that the absence of the soul leads to death. The soul was also related to the concept of harmony, which was central to Pythagorean philosophy due to their background in mathematics and geometry.
Harmony and its Connection to the Soul and the Cosmos [6:31]
Harmony is an essential concept in Pythagorean philosophy, closely linked to the soul. The Pythagoreans believed that the world is governed by harmony, and the soul embodies the force needed to maintain and preserve this harmony among all components of the body. Souls help maintain the unity of the cosmos, illustrating the relationship between the soul and cosmic harmony.
The Mystical View of Numbers [7:59]
The Pythagoreans had a mystical view of numbers, considering them the foundation of all things and real elements of the cosmos. Unlike the modern view of numbers as ideal concepts, Pythagoreans believed numbers existed within things. For example, one represented unity, two represented a line, and three represented a triangle. The number 10, composed by the sum of 1+2+3+4, symbolized perfection. They believed that all of nature and the entire world were made of numbers.
Legacy and Influence of the Pythagoreans [10:49]
The Pythagoreans contributed the idea of a harmoniously ordered cosmos, musical concordance, and the concept of the philosopher. They greatly influenced later philosophers.
