Pythagoras and Creation

3 Commentsby   |  09.06.13  |  Student Posts

I believe Pythagoras and his followers, the Pythagoreans taught ideas that fit well into the category of creation. Much of their teaching seems to answer the question of “Where are we?” Their teachings about how the world is governed by indisputable laws of math speaks to their desire to explain how the world works. They explain that  everything is interrelated by these rules of math. The most well known of these is the Pythagorean theorem, but while it is the most well known it is only one of the many mathematical laws that flow throughout the natural world in Pythagoras’s opinion. I am interested in these ideas because while Pythagoras was by no means a Christian,these ideas could be used to make a strong argument for God, like we talked about in class on Wednesday. The idea of eternal laws of math make an easy jump to an eternal God.

Another creation question that they talk about is, “Is this world real?” Pythagoras theorized that there were two worlds the physical and the abstract. The physical is the world is where we live but according to him the abstract is better because it is where these Laws truly function.

I believe that this math guided world that the Pythagoreans espoused informs a creation view.

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3 Comments

  1. Laura Kate Music
    6:26 pm, 09.08.13

    Interesting tie between Pythagoras and Creation. as a new creation the question was constantly being asked what is the good life?, along with many other unknowns. I think the Pythagorean’s fit so well into this idea, due to their constant search of concrete answers.

  2. Kasey Morgan
    10:07 pm, 09.09.13

    I think this is very interesting. I have a hard time relating to the ideas of the Pythagoreans because math has never really been “the answer” for me. I don’t really connect with the idea that math and numbers decode the entire universe. I have a hard time agreeing with him, but I like that you put him under creation.

  3. Caroline Nikolaus
    11:35 pm, 09.09.13

    I do like the fact that Pythagoras’ ideas and methods were used in a wide spectrum of fields of study. They can be used to explain creation, as you say. They tell us about mathematical equations and patterns, systems in our world that we now see making sense. He explains vibrations of sound to us- as a musician, it is fascinating to study Pythagoras as the first to distinguish between what sound is “good” and what sound is “bad,” consonance and dissonance. Much can be learned from this interesting and intelligent man.

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