PythagoreanSôphrosunê

Abstract

AbstractAmong many other works, the Peripatetic Aristoxenus wrote Pythagorean Precepts and Life of Archytas. Both reflect Pythagorean thinking about sôphrosunê from the early fourth century relatively independent of the Socratic tradition studied in the previous chapters. The first text presents desire as naturally wayward; sôphrosunê amounts to subservience to authoritative norms, inculcated through belief in all-seeing and all-caring gods and a conservative obedience to rules promulgated by civic elders. Harmony and stability are praised over intellectual creativity and ethical innovation. The second text presents a debate between Archytas and Polyarchus parallel to that between Socrates and Callicles on the value of unimpeded desire-satisfaction. Polyarchus argues that the unlimited pursuit of pleasure is natural and to be advised; Archytas cites numerous problems with that pursuit.