Pythagoreanism and Modern Models of Cosmology

Turning to the accumulated philosophical knowledge, the scientist almost always discovers that there are ideas in it which are far ahead of their time, but which can help in solving scientific problems of quite another historical epoch. In this respect one of the most revealing examples are associated with the discovery of heliocentrism and the General Theory of Relativity. Philosophical ideas and principles immanent in one or another particular science and serving for the solution of some problem of it form the very philosophical foundations of the given science. These, in turn, are by no means identical with the whole body of knowledge which philosophy creates. By reflecting on the foundations of science and turning to the analysis of its arbitrary forms – namely cosmology – philosophical reflection elaborates ideas and principles that can play an essential role in a certain stage of scientific inquiry.