Abstract

The theme of this work is most simply stated by recalling the question that reputedly vexed the auditors of Plato's lecture on the Good—what does the Good have to do with mathematics? or, what is wisdom that it unites knowledge of nature and knowledge of political matters? Burkert hopes to throw light on this question through philological and historical investigations of sources and events bearing on Pythagoras, his pupil Philolaos and Plato. The book will be considered an important contribution to philological studies of Pythagoras. In view of the author's documentation and thoroughness, it should also prove helpful to those interested in classical mathematics and the mathematical sciences, such as music and astronomy, and their relation to philosophy.—H. C.