For those seeking to develop their own philosophy of life, understanding the concept of community living as emphasized in Pythagoras’s teachings can be remarkably insightful. Although many are familiar with this aspect of his philosophy, its importance is often underestimated. Gaining a deeper comprehension of Pythagoras’s views on community living can greatly influence how we shape and refine our own philosophical outlook. This article will examine Pythagoras’s philosophy, explore the principle of community living, and highlight their significance in cultivating a meaningful philosophy of life.
Key features of Pythagoras’s philosophy
Pythagoras, a Greek philosopher and mathematician, is best known for his contributions to mathematics, particularly the Pythagorean Theorem. However, his philosophy extended far beyond numbers. Pythagoras believed that everything in the universe could be explained through numbers and mathematical relationships, emphasizing the harmony and order underlying existence. He is often credited with founding a school of thought that combined religious and philosophical teachings, known as Pythagoreanism.
Central to Pythagoras’s philosophy was the idea that the soul is immortal and undergoes a cycle of rebirths, a concept known as reincarnation. He believed in living a virtuous and disciplined life to achieve the purification of the soul. Vegetarianism was also a key practice for his followers, as Pythagoras considered all living beings connected.
Pythagoras and his followers saw music as another example of the universe’s mathematical structure. They studied the connections between musical notes and numerical ratios, which led to the discovery of fundamental laws governing harmony. This idea reinforced their belief that numbers were the foundation of all reality.
While much of what we know about Pythagoras comes from later accounts, his blend of mathematics, spirituality, and ethics has had a profound impact on philosophy, science, and art throughout history.
What is community living?
Pythagoras believed that community living was essential for achieving harmony and order among individuals. He saw the community as a reflection of the natural world, where cooperation and balance were necessary for everything to function smoothly. For Pythagoras, living together in a community encouraged people to share responsibilities, respect each other, and work towards common goals. He thought community living provided a structure where individuals could practice self-discipline and focus on their personal growth while contributing to the larger group. According to Pythagoras, fostering a strong sense of unity among individuals enabled them to live in accordance with universal principles, promoting peace and understanding. He emphasized that communities should operate with fairness and mutual respect, which he saw as key to maintaining social stability and order.
This example helps to demonstrate this philosophical perspective. One example of Pythagoras’s view about community living can be seen in the emphasis his followers placed on shared resources and collective harmony. Members of his community lived together in a way that prioritized the group over the individual, working collaboratively and sharing their possessions. Daily life was structured around principles of mutual respect, simplicity, and a shared purpose. They believed that living in such a way encouraged personal growth and a deeper connection with others. Their practices often included communal meals, collaborative decision-making, and adherence to strict ethical and moral guidelines to ensure the well-being of everyone in the community. This approach to living reflected their belief that harmony within a group mirrored the harmony found in the universe, aligning their lives with the natural order and fostering both unity and purpose among the members.
Challenges to Pythagoras’s view about community living
Philosophers who object to or reject Pythagoras’s view about community living often do so based on concerns about individuality, practical challenges, and differing ethical perspectives. One common objection is that such a concept may suppress individual freedom and autonomy. By prioritizing the collective over personal needs, critics argue that this approach risks turning individuals into mere components of a larger system, limiting their ability to make personal choices and pursue their own goals. Philosophers who emphasize personal liberty and self-expression often find this aspect problematic.
Additionally, the practical challenges of maintaining harmonious community living lead some philosophers to question its feasibility. Human beings, with their diverse backgrounds, personalities, and desires, often bring conflicts and disagreements into shared environments. Critics argue that such inherent differences make it difficult to sustain unity and cooperation for an extended period, especially without infringing on individual rights. These differences can give rise to power struggles or inequalities within the community, which may contradict the ideals of shared living.
From a moral standpoint, some philosophers view community living as overly idealistic or even authoritarian if strict rules are imposed to maintain conformity. Ethical frameworks that focus on utilitarianism, for instance, may find community living ineffective if it fails to maximize happiness for the majority due to dissatisfaction among individuals constrained by the group’s needs. Similarly, virtue ethicists may question whether such an approach cultivates moral character or undermines personal virtues by enforcing shared behaviour.
Finally, critics may argue that such broadly shared systems are susceptible to misuse or misinterpretation, leading to outcomes that diverge from their original purpose. Historical examples of communal experiments often highlight how power imbalances, mismanagement, or unmet needs can cause such systems to fail or even harm their members. Overall, these objections highlight the complexity of human nature and suggest that enforcing collective unity can come at a significant cost.
Why community living is important to Pythagoras’s philosophy
These are some of the main reasons why grasping the concept of community living is crucial to understanding Pythagoras’s philosophy.
- Fostering a Sense of Unity
Community living emphasizes the importance of unity among individuals, where each person’s role and contributions are valued. This concept is significant as it promotes collaboration and shared responsibility. The idea assumes that by coming together and living harmoniously, people can support each other in achieving common goals. Unity within a group can lead to stronger social bonds, where individuals feel a sense of belonging and purpose. It also encourages an environment of mutual respect and understanding, where conflicts can be resolved constructively. The sense of unity cultivated in community living lays the foundation for individuals to function as part of a whole, prioritizing collective wellbeing over individual pursuits.
- Encouraging Shared Knowledge and Learning
Community living inherently allows people to share knowledge and learn from one another. When individuals live together, they naturally exchange ideas, skills, and experiences that enrich the group’s collective understanding. This sharing fosters intellectual growth and helps spread wisdom throughout the community. The environment of shared learning underscores the value of diversity, as people with different perspectives contribute to the group’s holistic development. Furthermore, this collective approach to learning supports the idea that wisdom grows stronger when it is shared, rather than guarded individually. Such a dynamic is conducive to the flourishing of philosophical thinking and new ideas.
- Promoting Self-Discipline and Accountability
Living in a community requires members to practice self-discipline and be accountable to one another. Community settings often involve shared rules or agreements that require individuals to act responsibly for the benefit of all. This approach helps develop personal character and reinforces ethical behaviour, as people must consider the impact of their actions on others. Accountability in a community also inspires trust, creating a stable and cooperative environment for everyone. Practising self-discipline within the context of community living supports the development of habits that align with shared values, ultimately fostering harmony and personal growth.
Contrasting Pythagoras’s philosophy with Jean-Jacques Rousseau’s philosophy
Jean-Jacques Rousseau and Pythagoras both emphasized the importance of community living, but their perspectives on its role and purpose reveal key differences in their broader philosophies. Rousseau believed that humans are inherently good but are corrupted by society and its structures. For him, the ideal community fostered collective good while safeguarding individual freedom. He argued for a “social contract,” where community members agree to work together for mutual benefit, ensuring equality and justice for all. Rousseau’s focus was on creating a society that aligns with human nature by balancing the needs of the individual and the collective.
On the other hand, Pythagoras’s approach to community living stemmed from a more spiritual and disciplined vision. While Rousseau sought to reform society to reflect natural human goodness, Pythagoras’s communities were centered around shared values like ascetic living, learning, and harmony. For Pythagoras, the community served as a place to cultivate virtue, wisdom, and unity through collective practices and beliefs. This contrasts with Rousseau’s emphasis on political and social arrangements aimed at fairness and liberty.
Ultimately, while both philosophers valued the concept of community, Pythagoras’s view was more inward-focused, fostering self-improvement and spiritual enlightenment within a group. Rousseau, however, envisioned an outward, societal function for community living, striving to create structures that protect and nurture human dignity and freedom.
Community Living, Pythagoras’s philosophy and the meaning of life
Reflecting on Pythagoras’s perspective on community living, whether you agree with it or not, serves as a valuable exercise in understanding how relationships and shared environments impact a meaningful life. At its core, any discourse on community living asks us to think about how we interact with others, what we gain from collective experiences, and how we contribute to the well-being of the groups we belong to. These reflections are not abstract—they influence the choices we make daily, from how we resolve conflicts to how we support one another in times of need.
Taking the time to consider ideas like Pythagoras’s can encourage us to examine the role of community in our own lives. Are we building meaningful connections that enhance our sense of purpose? Do our interactions lift others and create positive ripples, or do we isolate ourselves in ways that hinder our growth? Communities, whether large or small, challenge us to find balance between personal goals and shared responsibilities. By reflecting on these dynamics, we better understand what brings fulfillment and how we might align our values with our actions in relationships.
Furthermore, questioning and contemplating such philosophical ideas cultivates self-awareness. It prompts us to look inward and, at the same time, consider the broader societal impact of our choices. This dual perspective is essential for living a meaningful life, as it helps us remain mindful of our individuality while recognizing that our actions influence others. Even if you don’t fully align with Pythagoras’s thoughts on community living, engaging critically with them can highlight areas in your life where more connection, cooperation, or intentionality could be beneficial.
Lastly, reflecting on these ideas reminds us that leading a meaningful life is an ongoing process. It is not about reaching a final destination but about continuously exploring what gives life depth and significance. Examining different perspectives like Pythagoras’s broadens our understanding and inspires us to refine the ways we create, nurture, and sustain meaningful connections within our communities. Whether we agree or choose a different path, the act of self-reflection remains a practical and profound tool for growth.
Further reading
Barnes, J. (1982). The Presocratic Philosophers. Routledge.
Burkert, W. (1972). Lore and Science in Ancient Pythagoreanism. Harvard University Press.
Cherniss, H. (1945). Aristotle’s Criticism of Presocratic Philosophy. Johns Hopkins Press.
Cornford, F. M. (1952). Principium Sapientiae: The Origins of Greek Philosophical Thought. Harper & Brothers.
Guthrie, W. K. C. (1962). A History of Greek Philosophy, Volume 1: The Earlier Presocratics and the Pythagoreans. Cambridge University Press.
Huffman, C. A. (1993). Philolaus of Croton: Pythagorean and Presocratic. Cambridge University Press.
Kirk, G. S., Raven, J. E., & Schofield, M. (1983). The Presocratic Philosophers. Cambridge University Press.
Riedweg, C. (2005). Pythagoras: His Life, Teaching, and Influence. Cornell University Press.
Zhmud, L. (2012). Pythagoras and the Early Pythagoreans. Oxford University Press.