Die pythagoreisch-naturwissenschaftlichen Grundlagen der Hochzeitszahl aus Platons "Staat"

The so-called 'wedding number' from Plato's State is probably rightly regarded as one of the most important, still unsolved riddles of antiquity. In an artfully coded text, Plato's Socrates hints at the way in which the ideal state, as the most just and happy form of a human community, can maintain its political continuity: It is not only enough that the incumbent leadership class of best-qualified philosophers, who are, however, without property for themselves, trains their potential successors in the best way, no, according to Pythagorean teachings, care must already be taken during their procreation that the mating of their ideal parents takes place at a time which is also suitable from the cosmic life rhythm of the universe to give the future elite the optimal equipment for their divine task already prenatally. This secret formula represents a fascinating example for the holistic thinking of the old Pythagoreans, in which holy mathematics, natural-scientific celestial mechanics and the creative love function of a living universe filled with natural-law harmony and wisdom still form an inseparable unity.