ARETEIOI CANON INDUCTEE

Lived	c. 370 – 415 (Gregorian) c. 10370 – ·10415 (Holocene)
Eras active	Axial
Associated phase	Descent

Hypatia was a Neoplatonist philosopher, astronomer, and mathematician who flourished during a culturally turbulent time in Alexandria, then the intellectual and cultural center of the Mediterranean. During her life, she was the world’s leading mathematician and astronomer.

Reasons for Induction

• Commitment to Balance: In a sea of growing religious radicalism on the parts of both Christians and Neoplatonists, Hypatia adhered to a Middle Way. She rejected the supernatural teachings of Iamblichus (which asserted the existence of hundreds of divine beings) and instead lectured on the more moderate original variant of Neoplatonism
  • Hypatia recognized the changing cultural climate of her day and embodied the virtues of right speech and moderation by speaking truth, while avoiding divisiveness
• Bridge of Tolerance: In spite of the immense slander she routinely faced, Hypatia was known for her tolerance. All of her known students were Christian, indicating she and her students saw no contradiction between Neoplatonist philosophy and Christian doctrine
  • What we can know of Hypatia’s tolerance and syncretic thinking indicates a deep understanding of the oneness of reality and the truth of Ji
• Fearless Orator: Hypatia was undeterred in the face of blowback and oppression. Her respected stature as a philosopher was highly unconventional if not unheard of for a woman in her time. Additionally, though she was a religious minority, she was unafraid to give impromptu public lectures to anyone who would listen
  • Given her status as both a woman and a Neoplatonist, Hypatia is a remarkable model of the virtue of courage
• Inner Balance: Hypatia strived to embody the state of apatheia, a Stoic term which Jiaya borrows, meaning complete liberation from emotions and affections. Christian historian Socrates of Constantinople admired the “self-possession and ease of manner which she had acquired in consequence of the cultivation of her mind”
  • Hypatia’s self discipline in the pursuit of inner peace and balance reflects the virtue of equanimity. Her philosophy was closely aligned with contemporary Stoic teachings on mirroring the rhythm of the universe within oneself
• Labor of Learning: While Hypatia is not currently known to have made any independent mathematical discoveries, she was renowned as a mathematical genius in her day and pursued scientific learning with vigor. She was skilled at construction of scientific instruments like hydrometers and astrolabes
  • Hypatia’s dedication to the advancement of human knowledge resonates with the virtue of right livelihood