Question

in the below excerpt from arete 128, who does pythagoras admire the most: pythagoras said that he knew no arts, but was a philosopher. leon marvelled at the novelty of the term and asked what was a philosopher and what was the difference between them and the rest of mankind. pythagoras is said to have responded that the life of man seemed to him like that festival which was held with the most magnificent games with all of greece assembled. there some, with their bodies trained, com peted for the glory and the fame of a crown, others were motivated by the profit potential of buying or selling, but there was yet another type, the best of all, who sought neither applause nor profit, but came to observe and to study what was done and how. so we, as if we have come to some festival from another city, have come to this life from another life and another character where some served glory and others served money. but these are rare men who hold everything else as nothing but study the nature of things, these are called lovers of wisdom, for that is the meaning of the word philosopher. so, as there at the games the most noble man watches without seeking any gain for himself, so in life the contemplation and recognition of the nature of things was far ahead of all other activities. the philosophers the traders at the games the winners at the games the ones who try hard

Explanation:

The text describes Pythagoras' view of different types of people. He compares life to a festival. Athletes (winners at games) seek glory, traders seek profit. Philosophers, however, seek neither but study the nature of things. Pythagoras emphasizes that the contemplation of things (what philosophers do) is superior.

Answer:

the philosophers