they could only break free of this cycle if they obtained a higher understanding of the universe through ‘introspective thought and philosophical study’; again, much like the Hindu belief of Nirvana. Thus, while observing the nature of the world in a study known as metaphysics, the Pythagoreans concluded the objects within reality could be differentiated by the qualities that they have; certain things are different shapes, colours and sizes. These qualities range dramatically and are not necessarily universal. The Pythagoreans therefore concluded that the one universal quality of all things in the universe, the one thing that everyone had in common, was that it was numerable and could be counted. Maybe we could imagine a hypothetical universe without smell or taste. But a hypothetical universe without numbers is impossible. And this is the basis of Pythagorean philosophy. Much like how Thales believed that water was the origin of being in the universe, Pythagoras and his followers believe that numbers were the underlying substance of reality. However, not all numbers were treated equally. Some were more holy than others; the number one was considered very important. Even numbers were representative of the idea of unlimitedness, because they could be divided by two, again and again before inevitably reaching one, On the other hand, odd numbers cannot be divided by two, and thus sets a limit to bipartition. In this way they were said to represent the idea of limit. Other examples of such opposites included masculine and feminine, right and left, rest and motion, light and dark, good and evil, square and oblong. Other symbolic numbers were the number eight, which represented justice, and the number seven, which represented wisdom. However, this sort of thinking does not appear to be based on real philosophical principles and thus is distasteful. But in the end, were they a cult? Maybe. They did have the usual traits of a cult. The Pythagoreans were believed to have pressured ordinary citizens of Crotona into adopting their unique lifestyle. However, when the ordinary citizens were told they must not eat beans and meat at all costs, it was not well taken by them. Persecution of the Pythagoreans followed, with many of the followers driven away or killed. The meeting place of the Pythagoreans was burned down and Pythagoras was forced to flee with his followers in 480 BCE. It is believed that the society regrouped and continued their activities, but not much was heard from them after this time. It is possible that they simply faded away, leaving behind them their rather perplexing legacy of mathematical genius tempered with superstition.
References http://www.neatorama.com/2012/08/17/Pythagoras-Worlds-Nerdiest-Cult-Leader/
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