Mathematics, Music, and Metempsychosis: Pythagoras and Pythagoreanism
RELIGION 1311
Subject & Catalog Number
Jointly Offered with:
Harvard Divinity School as HDS 1234
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Course Information
Description
This course will introduce students to the mysterious early Greek philosopher Pythagoras (c. 570-495 BCE), famous for teaching that the cosmos was composed of numbers and ratios, which correspond to a kind of cosmic music or "harmony of the spheres," and that souls are immortal and reincarnate (metempsychosis). Pythagoras' life and teachings are shrouded in mystery, but legends abound. He and the Pythagorean movement he inspired exerted enormous influence on ancient philosophy (including Plato and Aristotle) and science, and medieval and modern esotericism in the West and the East. There are no prerequisites, but previous coursework in ancient philosophy is recommended.
School
Faculty of Arts & Sciences
Credits
4
Cross Reg
Available for Harvard Cross Registration
Department
Religion, The Study of
Course Component
Seminar
Subject
Religion
Grading Basis
FAS Letter Graded
General Education
N/A
Quantitative Reasoning with Data
N/A
Divisional Distribution
Arts and Humanities
Course Level
For Undergraduate and Graduate Students
