Pythagorean Legacy in Medicine Cover Image

Пифагорейское наследие в медицине
Pythagorean Legacy in Medicine

Author(s): Nataliya Shok, Andrey Shcheglov
Subject(s): Ancient World, Ancient Philosphy, Philosophy of Science, Health and medicine and law
Published by: Новосибирский государственный университет
Keywords: history of medicine; philosophy of medicine; Pythagoras; Hippocrates; Galen; Alcmaeon; opposites;

Summary/Abstract: Article focuses on the influence of Pythagorean teaching on medicine. This allows to examine the history of medicine as part of the philosophy and history of science. Among the philosophical ideas of the Pythagoreans significant to medicine was highlighted the ideas of opposites, mathematical proof and harmony. The magical tendencies typical for the teaching of the Pythagoreans should be seen as a factor limiting the influence of their teaching on medicine. It was some elements of Pythagorean teaching that were important to the development of medicine, rather than Pythagorean teaching as a whole. Certain ideas of Pythagorean teaching were developed within medicine as well, such as in the use of the apodictic method, based on the practice of anatomical dissection, teaching on general pathology and clinical classification. Article highlights the dual nature of Pythagorean teaching, which was based on both rational and magical elements.

  • Issue Year: XIII/2019
  • Issue No: 1
  • Page Range: 307-314
  • Page Count: 8
  • Language: Russian