Just intonation rested on ideological mysticism about small integer ratios

Evidence

Many of the Just intonation systems were rather ideological, in that they presumed the primacy of small integers and their ratios for aesthetic or even mystical reasons. We also took a somewhat different point of view—namely, that steps should be taken to avoid dissonance with the third partial of any notes already present in the system. The circle of perfect fifths is the Pythagorean system in its purest form, and downright defective. — Eric J. Heller, Why You Hear What You Hear- An…, 2392

Categorization

• XREF: Connects to the aesthetic-versus-practical tension in earlier chapters on tuning, and resonates with the reader’s interest in why sound perception drives musical choice.