Pythagoras Revived: Mathematics and Philosophy in Late Antiquity

by Dominic J. O'Meara

Overview

The Pythagorean idea that number is the key to understanding reality inspired Neoplatonist philosophers in the fourth and fifth centuries to develop theories in physics and metaphysics based on mathematical models. The theories produced by this revived interest in Pythagoreanism were to become influential in medieval and early modern philosophy, and this book makes use of some newly-discovered evidence to examine for the first time the development of those theories.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780191519802
Publisher:	Oxford University Press
Publication date:	04/20/1989
Series:	Clarendon Paperbacks
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Lexile:	1590L (what's this?)
File size:	2 MB

About the Author

University of Fribourg

Table of Contents

The revival of Pythagoreanism in the Napoelonic school; Varieties of Pythagoreanism in the second and third centuries AD; Iamblichus' work on Pythagoreanism: Title, plan, the first four books; On Pythagoreanism Books V-VII: The excerpts in Michael Psellus; Iamblichus' work on Pythagoreanism: General conclusions; Iamblichean Pythagoreanism in the Athenian School; Hierocles; Syrianus; Proclus: Some peliminary issues; Proclus on mathematics; Mathematics and physics in Proclus; Mathematics and metaphysics in Proclus; Conclusion; Appendices; Bibliography; Index

Editorial Reviews

"Exemplary....Commendable in its balance, clarity, and judiciousness."—Ancient Philosophy

"By carefully and lucidly analyzing the way Iamblichus appropriated Pythagorean mathematical ideas to give new direction to the Platonic movement, O'Meara offers us new evidence for the decisive role the philosopher Iamblichus played in the shaping of the Neoplatonic tradition....This work adds significantly to our understanding of the Neoplatonic tradition and is required reading for scholars in the field of late Antique philosophy. It is well written, and will reward the effort of the more general reader as well." —Religious Studies Review

"Let me recommend this book not only to those whose research includes late Greek thought, but to all who are interested in the relationship of mathematics to either philosophy or science. This volume provides a fascinating glimpse into an often neglected aspect of Greek philosophy and science."—Review of Metaphysics

From the Publisher