Publisher's Synopsis
This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1890 edition. Excerpt: ...Nicomachean Extracts we derive our knowledge of the Pythagorean doctrine of the number five. It is an eminently spherical and circular number because in every multiplication, it restores itself and is found terminating the number; it is change of Quality, because it changes what has three dimensions into the sameness of a sphere by moving circularly and producing light: and hence "Light" is referred to the number 5. Also it is the " Privation of Strife " because it unites in friendship the two forms of number even and odd; the 2 and 3. Also Justice from throwing things into the light. Also the "unconquered" from a geometrical reason which may be found in Alexander Aphrodisiensis, Commentaries on the 1st Book of Aristotle's Metaphysics. Also the "Smallest extremity of Vitality" because there are three powers of Life, vegetable, psychical, and rational; and as the Rational is arranged according to the hebdomad, and the Psychical according to the hexad, so the Vegetative power falls under the control of the Pentad. Proclus on Hesiod gives two reasons for its semblance to Justice "because it punishes wrong, and takes away inequality of possession, and also equalizes what is less, to benefit." Also named Nemesis, for it arranges in an appropriate manner all things celestial, divine and natural. And Venus, because the male 3 triad and the female 2 or dual, odd and even are conjoined in it: Venus was sometimes considered hermaphrodite, and was bearded as well as full bosomed. And Gamelia, that is referring to marriage. And Androgynia, being odd and masculine, yet containing an even female part. Also a "Demi-goddess," because it is half of the Dccad, which is a divinity. And ..".