# Philolaus

> Greek philosopher, astronomer and Pythagorean (c.470–c.385 BCE)

**Wikidata**: [Q212338](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q212338)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Philolaus)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/philolaus

## Summary
Philolaus was a Greek philosopher, astronomer, and mathematician from the 5th century BCE, best known as a prominent member of the Pythagorean school. He is recognized for his contributions to early Greek philosophy, particularly in cosmology and mathematics, and for being one of the first to propose that the Earth was not the center of the universe.

## Biography
- **Born**: c. 470 BCE, likely in Crotone (Kroton), Magna Graecia (modern-day Italy)
- **Died**: c. 385 BCE
- **Nationality**: Greek
- **Occupation**: Philosopher, astronomer, mathematician, music theorist, writer
- **Field(s)**: Philosophy, astronomy, mathematics, music theory
- **Affiliation**: Pythagorean school

## Contributions
Philolaus is credited with several key contributions to early Greek thought:
- **Cosmology**: Proposed a non-geocentric model of the universe, suggesting that a "Central Fire" (Hestia) was the true center, with Earth, the Sun, and other celestial bodies revolving around it. This was a radical departure from contemporary beliefs.
- **Mathematics**: Advanced Pythagorean numerical theories, including the study of harmonic ratios and their application to music and astronomy.
- **Philosophy**: Wrote a now-lost treatise, fragments of which survive in later works, influencing Platonic and Aristotelian thought.
- **Music Theory**: Explored the mathematical foundations of musical harmony, building on Pythagorean traditions.

## FAQs
### **Who was Philolaus?**
Philolaus was a Greek philosopher and astronomer from the 5th century BCE, associated with the Pythagorean school. He is best known for his cosmological theories and contributions to early Greek mathematics and philosophy.

### **What was Philolaus's most significant idea?**
His most significant idea was the proposal of a non-geocentric universe, where a "Central Fire" served as the cosmic center, with Earth and other celestial bodies orbiting it. This challenged the prevailing Earth-centered models of his time.

### **Where was Philolaus from?**
Philolaus was from Crotone (Kroton), a Greek colony in Magna Graecia (modern-day southern Italy), a major center of Pythagorean thought.

### **What fields did Philolaus contribute to?**
He contributed to philosophy, astronomy, mathematics, and music theory, reflecting the interdisciplinary nature of Pythagorean scholarship.

### **Did Philolaus write any surviving works?**
No complete works survive, but fragments of his writings are preserved in later philosophical texts, particularly those of Plato and Aristotle.

### **How did Philolaus influence later philosophy?**
His ideas on cosmology and mathematics influenced later Greek philosophers, including Plato, who incorporated Pythagorean concepts into his own work. His non-geocentric model also foreshadowed later astronomical theories.

## Why They Matter
Philolaus was a pivotal figure in the transition from mythological to rational explanations of the cosmos. His non-geocentric model challenged contemporary beliefs and laid early groundwork for later astronomical theories. His mathematical and musical theories advanced Pythagorean thought, influencing Plato and Aristotle. Without his contributions, the development of Western philosophy and science might have taken a different trajectory, particularly in the study of cosmology and harmonic principles.

## Notable For
- Proposing a non-geocentric cosmological model with a "Central Fire" as the universe's center.
- Advancing Pythagorean numerical and harmonic theories in mathematics and music.
- Being one of the few Pythagoreans whose written fragments survive in later works.
- Influencing Platonic and Aristotelian philosophy through his cosmological and mathematical ideas.
- Contributing to the interdisciplinary study of philosophy, astronomy, and music theory in ancient Greece.

## Body
### **Early Life and Background**
Philolaus was born around 470 BCE in Crotone (Kroton), a Greek colony in Magna Graecia (modern-day Calabria, Italy). Crotone was a major center of Pythagorean thought, and Philolaus likely studied under Pythagorean scholars, though direct evidence of his teachers is scarce.

### **Philosophical and Scientific Contributions**
Philolaus is best known for his cosmological theories, which departed from the geocentric models of his time. He proposed that the universe revolved around a "Central Fire" (Hestia), with Earth, the Sun, and other celestial bodies orbiting it. This model was one of the earliest attempts to explain cosmic motion without placing Earth at the center.

In mathematics, Philolaus expanded on Pythagorean theories of numbers and harmony, applying them to music and astronomy. His work on harmonic ratios influenced later Greek thought, particularly in the study of musical scales and celestial mechanics.

### **Written Works and Legacy**
Though no complete works by Philolaus survive, fragments of his writings are preserved in the works of later philosophers, including Plato and Aristotle. These fragments suggest that he authored at least one treatise, which likely covered cosmology, mathematics, and philosophy.

His ideas had a lasting impact on Western thought, particularly in the development of astronomical models and the philosophical study of numbers. His non-geocentric model, though not widely accepted in his time, foreshadowed later heliocentric theories.

### **Affiliations and Influence**
Philolaus was a key figure in the Pythagorean school, which emphasized the mathematical and harmonic principles underlying the universe. His work influenced later Greek philosophers, including Plato, who integrated Pythagorean concepts into his own metaphysical and cosmological theories.

### **Death and Historical Context**
Philolaus died around 385 BCE. His life spanned a period of significant intellectual development in ancient Greece, bridging early Pythagorean thought and the later philosophical systems of Plato and Aristotle. His contributions to cosmology, mathematics, and music theory remain foundational in the history of Western philosophy and science.

## References

1. [The Fine Art Archive](https://cs.isabart.org/person/17081)
2. Library of the World's Best Literature
3. Virtual International Authority File
4. BnF authorities
5. CiNii Research
6. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
7. Diokles 49 (Pauly-Wissowa)
8. [Source](https://www.bartleby.com/library/bios/index13.html)
9. CERL Thesaurus
10. Treccani's Enciclopedia on line
11. Enciclopedia Treccani
12. Treccani Philosophy