Philolaus of Croton

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Philolaus of Croton (c.470 BC-c.390 BC) was one of the few students of Pythagoras to survive the persecution of that school.

Philolaus is credited with originating the theory that the earth was not the center of the universe, and that the universe was shaped like a sphere. Philolaus believed that the universe revolved around a central fire, which could not be seen from Greece because that side of the earth always faced away from it.

Philolaus argued that all matter is comprised of limiters and unlimiteds. Limiters set boundaries, such as shape and quantity. Unlimiteds are universal forms and rules such as the four elements of earth, air, fire and water and the continua of space and time. Limiters and unlimiteds are combined together in a harmony (harmonia), which can be described mathematically (similar to the combinations of elements in modern chemistry). Philolaus used the musical scale to illustrate his philosophy, whereby whole number ratios limit pleasing sounds (e.g., the octave, fifth, and fourth are defined by the ratios 2 : 1, 4 : 3 and 3 : 2).

Philolaus also believed that the immortal soul was imprisoned in a substantial flesh as a punishment from former lives.

Eurytus, another Pythagorean, was a famous student of Philolaus. Diogenes Laertes reports that Plato met with Philolaus and Eurytus when he traveled to Italy shortly after the death of Socrates. Plato mentions Philolaus in the Phaedo. Aristotle relied on Philolaus' written works to learn Pythagorean philosophy.

Different sources report that he was from different towns: Croton (Iamblichus, VP 148), Tarentum (Iamblichus, VP 267; Diogenes Laertius VIII 46) and Metapontum (Iamblichus, VP 266-67). Croton, Metapontum and Tarentum were all located in southern Italy.

[edit] References

• Diogenes Laertius, Life of Pythagoras, VIII, 46.
• Iamblichus, Vita Pythagorica, 148, 266-67.
• Plato, Phaedo