No, Pythagoras did not coin the word philosophy. The word “sophos,” or wise ones, was the term of the time. Given his pioneering application of mathematics to nature, Pythagoras was sometimes called a “mathematikos,” meaning student of mathematics.
This FAQ came up because of Brian Thomas Swimme’s 2013 video titled “Journey of the Universe” on YouTube. In the introduction, he says:
“Legend has it, Pythagoras coined the word philosophy, a love of wisdom.”
This caught my ear only because my studies indicate that philosophy was not the word during that time. By the way, Brian’s video is GREAT and I highly recommend it, watch it here.
However, the attribution of philosophy to Pythagoras is historically incorrect. Brian is right that a debunked legend exists attributing the term to Pythagoras. This critique is a nuanced correction of one sentence in an otherwise fantastic video.
The earliest known usage of the word “philosophy,” or philosophia, is attributed to the ancient Greek historian Herodotus, around 440 BCE. Herodotus used it to describe the pursuits of Solon, a distant ancestor of Plato himself. In my book 30 Philosophers, I mention him like this in chapter 8.
Plato’s mother was Perictione who was related to the renowned Athenian reformer Solon. About two centuries earlier, Solon’s legal reforms were foundational to the democratic institutions of Athens, laying the groundwork for its golden age.
It was Plato and Aristotle who popularized the word. Their works solidified the term’s association with the pursuit of wisdom and knowledge. Over time, the term sophist acquired a negative connotation due to criticisms from philosophers like Socrates, Plato, and Aristotle. They criticized these traveling teachers for valuing winning debates over genuine understanding. They saw sophists as prioritizing rhetorical skill and personal gain over genuine wisdom and truth-seeking.
