Philosophy
The first time I read Bertrand Russell's History of Western Philosophy, I could not get over the chapter on Pythagoras. As Russell claims, "Pythagoras... was intellectually one of the most important men that ever lived, both when he was wise and when he was unwise. Mathematics, in the sense of demonstrative deductive argument, begins with him." This is probably the aspect of Pythagoras that's well known. The unwise part comes from his weird and wacky mysticism (which he managed to intertwine with his mathematics both to great success and to halt its own progress) and to his dogmatism: you did not want to upset the guy or threaten the beauty and perfection of his rational philosophy.
The guy who did, by pointing out the existence of irrational numbers as a logical consequence of Pythagoras' own rational theorem, angered Pythagoras and his posse, and got himself viciously killed by them.
So how do irrational numbers flow out of the Pythagorean theorem? Well, the awesome Vi Hart explains in her deliciously unique way in today's episode of the doodling in math series.
And if you're curious about some of the rules of the Pythagorean order, check these out:
And if you want to inspire your friends, family, kids, students, co-workers, you can also show them how the late and beloved Jacob Bronowski explains the mathematical, philosophical and historical significance of this great discovery. Trust me, it's inspirational...
- Week One: Traditional Philosophy
TEXT: THE LIFE OF PYTHAGORAS Pythagoras once stated, "...the purest and most geniune character is that of the man who devotes himself to...beautiful things." He basically was talking about himself because he has left a lasting influence on this world....
- How To (and Why) Prove A Mathematical Theory
When it comes to the world of our sensory experience, the idea of "proof" is somewhat misplaced, since there is always the possibility of new evidence contradicting something we previously had every good reason to believe, not to mention the fact it could...
- Nature By Numbers - Fibonacci And The Golden Ratio
Among the pre-Socratics, it was Pythagoras who hypothesized that the most basic constituent of the universe wasn't some material substance but rather numbers. The idea must have seemed strange to most of his contemporaries, but over two thousands...
- "favorite Pre-socratic Greek Philosopher" Poll
Favorite pre-Socratic Greek philosopher Anaxagoras... Anaximander... Anaximenes... Democritus...1 Diogenes...1 Empedocles... Heraclitus... Parmenides... Pythagoras...3 Thales... Zeno... All...1 None...1 I had to vote for Pythagoras even though I do...
- "read The Ancients" Poll
Have you read the ancients...either literature, philosophy, or science? Yes...2 No...1 If you haven't read the ancients, then you are really missing a rich heritage of the sciences, philosophy, and arts. Go to the library [or on line] and check out...
Philosophy
What's Up with Pythagoras?
The guy who did, by pointing out the existence of irrational numbers as a logical consequence of Pythagoras' own rational theorem, angered Pythagoras and his posse, and got himself viciously killed by them.
So how do irrational numbers flow out of the Pythagorean theorem? Well, the awesome Vi Hart explains in her deliciously unique way in today's episode of the doodling in math series.
And if you're curious about some of the rules of the Pythagorean order, check these out:
- To abstain from beans
- Not to pick up what has fallen - sorry grandma!
- Not to touch a white cock - I guess once you go black... sorry, but isn't that racist :)
- Not to stir the fire with iron - being that iron is a metal, I'll let that slide
And if you want to inspire your friends, family, kids, students, co-workers, you can also show them how the late and beloved Jacob Bronowski explains the mathematical, philosophical and historical significance of this great discovery. Trust me, it's inspirational...
- Week One: Traditional Philosophy
TEXT: THE LIFE OF PYTHAGORAS Pythagoras once stated, "...the purest and most geniune character is that of the man who devotes himself to...beautiful things." He basically was talking about himself because he has left a lasting influence on this world....
- How To (and Why) Prove A Mathematical Theory
When it comes to the world of our sensory experience, the idea of "proof" is somewhat misplaced, since there is always the possibility of new evidence contradicting something we previously had every good reason to believe, not to mention the fact it could...
- Nature By Numbers - Fibonacci And The Golden Ratio
Among the pre-Socratics, it was Pythagoras who hypothesized that the most basic constituent of the universe wasn't some material substance but rather numbers. The idea must have seemed strange to most of his contemporaries, but over two thousands...
- "favorite Pre-socratic Greek Philosopher" Poll
Favorite pre-Socratic Greek philosopher Anaxagoras... Anaximander... Anaximenes... Democritus...1 Diogenes...1 Empedocles... Heraclitus... Parmenides... Pythagoras...3 Thales... Zeno... All...1 None...1 I had to vote for Pythagoras even though I do...
- "read The Ancients" Poll
Have you read the ancients...either literature, philosophy, or science? Yes...2 No...1 If you haven't read the ancients, then you are really missing a rich heritage of the sciences, philosophy, and arts. Go to the library [or on line] and check out...