[harvey] PYTHAGORAS AND HIS PHILOSOPHY 261 



he continues, " should we not accept the theories which suppose a con- 

 " tinuous emanation from and absorption into the world soul ? " Such 

 considerations are too mystical for present day science, and the students 

 of physics may be said to be inclined to think that mind is a function 

 of matter, so that death is a change which ends individuality. But 

 there is an unworthy timidity about even discussing such questions, 

 born of the fear of sucli results as came to Pythagoras, and, later, to 

 Socrates who borrowed from him, also to ten thousand others in all 

 subsequent ages and in all lands. Opinion is not yet free. 



The cosmogonies we have been glancing at are after all more notable 

 for their points of agreement than for their differences. We" have 

 increased our knowledge of physical facts but do not seem to have 

 advanced in metaphysics. Pythagoras brought from the East much 

 knowledge and much thought, and to the Greek school of philosophy, 

 which he largely influenced, we owe all our own. Our repajonent to 

 the East of this weighty obligation has not always been so altruistic 

 as gratitude requires. 



