STORIES
Philosophers
DONATE

Pythagoras

by Zafar from San Diego

 (http://homestead.org/DGlennMiller/Pythagoras/Build ())
(http://homestead.org/DGlennMiller/Pythagoras/Build ())

Many people think about heroes they admire. Heroes usually do good deeds that are remembered; notably, Pythagoras of Samos was intellectual in his ways of teachings. He was a Greek philosopher born in 571 BCE in Samos, Greece, who created societies that acknowledged his philosophy and mysticism. Pythagoras's improvements to math and philosophy make him an influential hero in many essential aspects of human life.

The Pythagorean Theorem  (http://fineartamerica.com/art/all/pythagoras/all ())
The Pythagorean Theorem (http://fineartamerica.com/art/all/pythagoras/all ())

In the present, his mathematical contributions continue to support others. Academically, the Pythagorean Theorem helps professionals who depend on geometry to accomplish their work. As Leonard C. Bruno states, "[...] Pythagoras discovered that the sides of a right triangle were connected by a law that could be expressed in numbers. [...] [T]his rule states that the square of the longest side of a triangle (the hypotenuse) is equal to the sum of the squares of its other two sides (its legs)" (no page). Everyday life would be complicated if one ignored the importance of right triangles. Engineers have the technology to practice the theorem he taught his followers in the past. Additionally, Pythagoras focused on the mathematical aspects of astronomy. He studied "the fixed numerical relations among the movement of stars and planets" (Rankin) in order find out what the universe is like. His astronomical work demonstrates the connections between Earth and its surroundings. Without astronomical knowledge, nobody would know what is outside earth. To be heroic in geometry and astronomy creates educational pathways for future generations.

 (https://www.dartmouth.edu/~matc/math5.geometry/uni ())
(https://www.dartmouth.edu/~matc/math5.geometry/uni ())

Pythagoras's philosophy adds to our theoretical and practical understanding of the world around us. Significantly, he created a society "[w]hose principles addressed non-scientific subjects such as reincarnation, or metempsychosis" (Schlager). Pythagoras's theory of reincarnation would logically lead to more organized religions. His followers' knowledge would guide people generations later. According to Pythagorean teachings, "the world could be explained using mathematics as based upon whole numbers and their ratios" (Brandenberger). His practice of math seeks to explain the meanings of the world. His kind of heroism includes ambitious philosophy that leads to intellectual achievements.

In many concepts of life, Pythagoras's modifications to math and philosophy made him an influential hero. For example, his mathematical idea, the Pythagorean Theorem, helped people in studying concepts of triangles. In addition, his philosophy was nonscientific by using reincarnation to understanding the world that led to religious organization. Pythagoras was an inspiration because he wanted people to know about what life is like and to do well in future generations; and he is inspiring because of his ways of teachings in mathematics and philosophy and others acknowledging it. A true hero is admired based on their knowledge and good deeds of what they do in everyday life.

Page created on 8/8/2015 12:00:00 AM

Last edited 8/8/2015 12:00:00 AM

The beliefs, viewpoints and opinions expressed in this hero submission on the website are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the beliefs, viewpoints and opinions of The MY HERO Project and its staff.

Related Links

Pythagoras - MY HERO story by Yuma from Texas
Origami proof of the Pythangorean theorem - Khan Academy
Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy - Pythagoras
The Story of Mathematics - Greek Mathematics - Pythagoras