Combining Philosophers

Ideas for H.Putnam/P.Oppenheim, Pythagoras and Albert Casullo

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6. Mathematics / A. Nature of Mathematics / 3. Nature of Numbers / m. One

7485	For Pythagoreans 'one' is not a number, but the foundation of numbers [Pythagoras, by Watson]
	Full Idea: For Pythagoreans, one, 1, is not a true number but the 'essence' of number, out of which the number system emerges.
	From: report of Pythagoras (reports [c.530 BCE], Ch.8) by Peter Watson - Ideas Ch.8
	A reaction: I think this is right! Counting and numbers only arise once the concept of individuality and identity have arisen. Counting to one is no more than observing the law of identity. 'Two' is the big adventure.