Philosophy vs Theosophy
Philosophy is the science of the soul; the study of the fundamental nature of knowledge, reality and existence whereas, Theosophy is wisdom religion; a religious philosophy or speculation about the nature of the soul based on mystical insight into the nature of God.
The terms Philosophy and Theosophy are different in sense. Philosophy is the science of the soul whereas Theosophy is Wisdom Religion. In fact you can call theosophy as religious philosophy.
Philosophy has several schools whereas theosophy has a single school of thought. The various schools of philosophy are monism, dualism, qualified monism and the like. The followers of theosophy believe in one absolute and one Supreme Self. He can be called as the Universal Soul.
Theosophists believe that man is possessed with innate power of being immortal since he is the part of the Universal Soul. His nature and essence are identical with those of the Universal Soul.
Monists in their philosophy believe in the oneness of everything. They say that everything in the universe is but one. Each and every individual soul is potentially divine. Individual soul merges with the Supreme soul after liberation. Dualists do not believe in the oneness of everything. They would say that man attains happiness and bliss when he gets liberated, but he can never become one with the Supreme Self. Supreme Soul is entirely different from the individual jiva in character and attributes.
Philosophical concepts are dogmas whereas theosophical concepts are not dogmas. The concepts of theosophy are mere ideas. In the same way books on theosophy are not considered as sources of verbal authority. On the contrary books on philosophy can be considered sources of verbal authority.
Mysticism surrounds theosophy whereas philosophy is not laden with mysticism. Theosophists believe that science, religion and philosophy among arts and commerce lead people very close to the Supreme Absolute. Theosophists accept two important bodies namely, the material body and the astral body. Philosophers speak more about the souls, individual and supreme.
Recap:
The difference between philosophy and theosophy are:
- Philosophy is the science of soul whereas theosophy is the wisdom religion.
- Philosophical concepts are dogmas whereas theosophical concepts are not dogmas.
- Theosophy is laden with mysticism whereas philosophy is not characterized by mysticism.
- Philosophy has many schools of thought. Theosophy has a single school of thought.
- Theosophists speak more about astral body and material body. Philosophers speak more about the individual self and the supreme self.