Philosophy, as one of the four pillars of gnosis, means asking the big questions of life.
The word philosophy is from the Greek words philos, love, and sophia, wisdom. Philosophy is the spirit of inquiry that sets us upon the path of knowledge and self-reflection by asking the big questions of life: Who am I? Where did I come from and what is my purpose? What happens after death and before birth? Why is there suffering in the world? Is there a God and can I know God?
The Greek philosopher Plato said there are four main questions we need to ask ourselves in order to have wisdom:
1. How do we know? and What is the nature of knowledge? 2. How do we govern ourselves? 3. How do we conduct ourselves toward each other? 4. What is our place and purpose in the world? These questions then correspond to different philosophical schools of thought. 1. Epistemology 2. Political science 3. Ethical conduct 4. Cosmology The questions themselves lead to entire systems of teaching and thought. It is this expansive outlook based on questioning and investigating answers over time that gains true wisdom. A philosophy can guide us to learn about ourselves and the nature of the world we live in, both with the questions we ask and the inquietudes in our hearts, and with the answers and teachings that guide and inspire our lives. When we have some sense of what is the nature of knowledge, how to conduct ourselves in society, and what our place is in the universe, we have the proper tools and motivation to fulfill a divine purpose on Earth.