Customer Reviews

The Theology of Arithmetic

5 star:		(5)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
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I'm not sure if the books' material or the editor's notes are more useful. The book itself is attributed to Iamblichus but it is not really known whether he actually wrote this particular text. The author does note that the book seems to be more of a compilation of material by Anatonlius and Nicomachus. I actually wondered at many points if this text was written by a student (i.e. student notes from lectures at Plato's academy). None-the-less if you are looking for materials on Pythagorean philosophy, this book is for you. It covers the symbolism attributed to the first ten numbers (the monad through the decad) as well as touching on subjects like Plato's lambda and the Geometric, Arithmetic and Harmonic means. If you have the Pythagorean Sourcebook by Guthrie or Jesus Christ, Sun of God by Fidieler this book will complement those two works nicely (esp. Appendix II of the former). Also, Rene Schwaller's Study of Numbers seems to derive a lot of inspiration from either this text or one like it. Keith Critchlow, who wrote Islamic Patterns, introduces this book and extrapolates on Plato's Lambda in a very interesting way. Also the glossary in the back of this book, explaining Platonic/Pythagorean notions of numbers (perfect, over-perfect, even-odd, etc.) was enlightening. With so many gems of Pythagorean knowledge in such a small space (i.e. less than a hundred pages) - the book definately deserves 5 stars.

When I bought this book, I presumed I was buying a remotely dry and dull book of late Neoplatonic praddle on numbers. However it turns out this book is a copy of a copy of a copy by Iambblichus all the way back to Pythagoras himself (although this isn't proven).

The content of this book is an ABSOLUTE MUST TOOL in the comprehension of Plato, and , my favorite, Plotinus, the logical and numerical philosophical Emanation model (of Plato and Neoplatonists) as expressed in this book is mind blowing. I myself find that 99.9% of the many 1000s of books I've bought get a quick glance and are ditched on the shelf SOON afterwards. I've read the "Theology of Arithmetic" now more than 8 times!

I forward, and rightly so, that this book is in fact an INDESPENSIBLE tool to grasping the logical and numerical ontological expression-model of Pythagoras and Plato/Plotinus in their philosophy of Emanation and necessity in their illuminating the werks (eklampsis/emanation) of the One, the Divine. What's better, is the pithiness of this book is astounding, with main content around 120 pages, its incredibly condensed and packed with revelations and connections leading to insights into Plato's ontology "by" numbers that I never could have made without THIS book.

As per Plotinus in 5.1.1 and his "mystery" world TOLMA as the primordial cause of the "souls descent", I found the answer of this 1500 year-old philosophical-contention mystery SOLVED by means of this very book, "Theology of Arithmetic"

Personally, I find the subtitle of this book should be: "THE KEY TO UNDERSTANDING THE NUMBER ONTOLOGY OF ALL OF PYTHAGOREANISM, PLATONISM AND NEOPLATONISM".

My copy of this book is so underlined and highlighted, I'm buying another copy of it.

This is a translation of Iamblichus lecture notes on the foundational symbolism of the numbers, Iamblichus was highly inspired by the work of Nichomachus and includes numerous pieces quoted from his lost work 'Theology of Arithmetic' (hence the title of this book).

The fact that this translation is of lecture notes means it is relatively concise and to the point, which I personally liked. As other reviewers have noted, the commentary by Robin Waterfield is both extensive and insightful, it definitely makes the material much easier to digest. Highly recommended.

If you like this, I also recommend Nichomachus 'Manual of Harmonics' which discusses similar themes

The most valuable book I ever found on Pythagorean number philosophy, highly recommended, good luck at ever finding it in print!!!!

If you're one of the few people interested in the history of mathematics/science, Neo-Pythagoreanism, serious study of Kabbalah/mystic theology (not New Age nonsense), or cultural history of number, buy this now before it goes out of print.

Essentially, this is the only book I've seen which lays out the relationships between the Neo-Pythagorean Exoteric Theology and the Esoteric study of Number. This is quite obviously the basis for much of the Kabbalah (e.g. Sefer Yetzirah: The Book of Creation). In itself, that's extremely fascinating.

It's really baffling and amazing to see how a culture without numerals dealt with symbology and ratio. The translation is scholarly and without the new age slant I expected.

For a decidedly limited audience, but highly recommended for them.

A precaution - you should have already read some Euclid e.g. Euclid's Elements, or at least be familiar with him before attempting this. Ditto Plato and Plotinus, though only broad familiarity is needed with the latter two. A scholarly volume (Kaplan's good) on the Kabbalah (which is quite similar in some regards) would also be helpful, but not necessary. Even with these sources, it's an extremely difficult read. Even the translator, who is to be commended for his honesty, admits he didn't understand several portions.

For those who are interested in this for a better understanding of Neopythagoreanism and Neoplatonism. Fine.
But you won't find good philosophy in this little book you will find nonsense allegorical applications of Homeric texts and philosophers sayings, nonsense philosophy.