Alexander Morpheigh is the acclaimed novelist behind The Pythagorean, a spellbinding tour through Ancient Greece that blurs the lines between philosophy, transformation and the story of Pythagoras. To celebrate the release of The Pythagorean, What We Reading sat down with Alexander to discuss everything from the process of writing the novel, the enduring influence of Greek philosophy and his love for all things Isaac Asimov!
Thanks for speaking with us, Alexander! First off, tell us a bit about yourself and what led you to the world of writing.
Thank you for taking the time to speak with me and for your interest in “The Pythagorean”. I’m a computer engineer, living at the intersection of the real and digital worlds.
Many years ago, after reading Plato’s Dialogues, I became deeply fascinated by ancient Greek philosophy — not just as an abstract intellectual pursuit but as a way of answering fundamental questions about our life. Unlike practical concerns such as making money or solving mathematical equations, philosophy, as the ancients saw it, was about constructing a life of harmony – both within oneself and with those around us.
Plato emphasized that true philosophy is rooted in relationships: the relationship between one person and another, and the relationship between an individual and their own existence. This idea, I believe, is timeless. No matter the era, it remains profoundly relevant.
And Pythagoras is the founder of philosophy and the one who coined the term ‘Philosophy.’ He used to say that true wisdom belongs only to the God, and that humans can only aspire to be lovers of wisdom. And ‘Love of Wisdom‘ in Greek literally sounds as ‘Philosophy’.
Approximately six or seven years ago, I initiated and sponsored the production of a documentary film to explore contemporary Pythagoreans. During these expeditions, we encountered members of various modern Pythagorean societies, most of whom were esteemed scientists and university professors. The conversations and insights they shared laid the groundwork for the scientific and philosophical content of the book. The concept of narrating ancient wisdom through a modern lens also emerged naturally from these encounters.
Talk to us about The Pythagorean. What is it about, what are some of the key themes and how was the process of writing it?
The Pythagorean is a book, structured much like a pyramid – multiple beams and layers of story and meaning converge from different perspectives, ultimately forming a single, cohesive story.
On one level, it is the story of Theo, an ordinary IT professional, drifting through life without a purpose. After a fatal car accident, he awakens in the body of a young man in ancient Greece. There, he encounters the oracle Pythia, who reveals that his only way home is to find his true Teacher. But this journey is not merely physical – Theo must confront and overcome his own inner darkness. The only one capable of guiding him through this transformation is Pythagoras – not as a distant, austere philosopher, but as a wise, kind, and ironic mentor, whose guidance is both profound and deeply personal, like that of a loving father.
As Theo embarks on his path of learning, he travels between parallel worlds, uncovering scientific and philosophical knowledge that challenges even modern theories. Yet, beyond its metaphysical and intellectual layers, the book is also a story of personal transformation – a journey from an empty existence to one of purpose, principles, and self-awareness.
Another dimension of the novel explores the power of true love – one that Theo nearly loses but fights to reclaim.
And beneath all its layers, The Pythagorean ultimately delivers a simple yet profound message: that the best way to live is with kindness towards the World, love for those who love us, and respect for those around us. True wealth is not measured in money, but in love, u, and the pursit of wisdom.
What is the number one goal you want your work to have with readers?
There’s a well-known saying: “The Word rules the sword. The sword rules gold. Gold rules foolish people.“
What people need most in life are meanings. We constantly seek them – from films, books, and conversations with friends and acquaintances. Take, for example, the fact that the Jedi religion (from Star Wars) was the fourth largest official religion in the UK by the number of followers. People are always searching for meanings. They may not find them in traditional religions or in science. While science provides knowledge, it doesn’t offer life meanings.
In my view, true philosophy of ancient Greece holds the meanings we’ve lost over time. The main goal of this book is to try to offer people some of these meanings for their lives, or at the very least, to point them toward where they might find them.
That’s why all members of contemporary Pythagorean societies we’ve met are coming from the world of advanced science – they were searching for meanings of the knowledge they acquired, and this quest led them to Pythagoras teaching.
What do you think makes you stand out as an author?
I believe what makes me stand out as an author is my ability to blend deep philosophical and scientific ideas with engaging storytelling. I don’t just present facts or theories – I integrate them into a story that’s both accessible and thought-provoking. My background in technology and science allows me to approach ancient concepts from a modern perspective, and my travels and interactions with people from various walks of life have given me a broad, empathetic view of the world. Above all, I aim to create an atmosphere where readers can feel a sense of connection, love, and harmony, leaving them with a deeper understanding of themselves and the world around them.
What would you say has been your biggest success so far?
The greatest challenge and the biggest success in writing The Pythagorean was weaving true historical information about Pythagoras into the story – not as dry, academic discourse, but as a vivid, living presence. My goal was to present him not just as a philosopher of the distant past, but as a dynamic and deeply human figure – one of the most significant co-founders of the intellectual foundation of European civilization. I wanted readers to experience him in a way that felt engaging, even entertaining, while remaining historically accurate.
Another challenge was how to introduce the teachings of Pythagoras and his school, along with modern perspectives on our world as seen by contemporary Pythagoreans – who are accomplished scientists: professors, doctors of mathematics, physics, and astronomy. The challenge was to avoid presenting their ideas as a dry compilation of facts, like a textbook, and instead integrate them into a lively, ironic, and engaging story. The result is a book that brings profound philosophical and scientific concepts to life, making them accessible and enjoyable for a broad audience – without sacrificing depth, meaning, or intellectual rigor.
If you could go back in time to one book you read for the first time, what would it be and why?
That would probably be The Foundation or I, Robot by Isaac Asimov. These books made me reflect deeply on the history of humankind, the evolution of our species, and, most importantly, how we can strive to become better. Asimov’s exploration of human nature and the ethical dilemmas faced by artificial intelligence challenged me to think critically about the future and our role in shaping it.
What’s one tip you would give your younger self if you had the opportunity?
Knowledge is not the same as wisdom. Learning a lot doesn’t bring knowledge of how to live.
I regret not spending enough time with my grandparents, despite their deep love for me. They deserved much more attention than I gave them. I also wasn’t always as patient or present with my children as I should have been – they needed me, not my money.
Two things should be considered as important in life:
a) An attitude and attention between people are far more valuable than money.
b) The atmosphere in which we carry out our actions is even more important than the actions themselves.
And finally, what do you hope the future holds for you and your writing?
The ultimate reward for me, as an author, would be knowing that someone reads The Pythagorean and, as a result, becomes kinder, more compassionate, and more attuned to the world around them.
I believe the most essential aspect of any book is the atmosphere it creates – the world it invites the reader into. My hope is that, after reading this book, readers will experience a sense of love and harmony, both within themselves and around them.
If this book can contribute to making our world a little better, then that would be the best possible future I could envision – for the book and for myself.
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Part-time reader, part-time rambler, and full-time Horror enthusiast, James has been writing for What We Reading since 2022. His earliest reading memories involved Historical Fiction, Fantasy and Horror tales, which he has continued to take with him to this day. James’ favourite books include The Last (Hanna Jameson), The Troop (Nick Cutter) and Chasing The Boogeyman (Richard Chizmar).
