What does theosophy mean?

Definitions for theosophy
θiˈɒs ə fitheos·o·phy

This dictionary definitions page includes all the possible meanings, example usage and translations of the word theosophy.

Princeton's WordNet

  1. theosophynoun

    a system of belief based on mystical insight into the nature of God and the soul

Wiktionary

  1. theosophynoun

    any doctrine of religious philosophy and mysticism claiming that knowledge of God can be attained through mystical insight and spiritual ecstasy, and that direct communication with the transcendent world is possible.

  2. Etymology: From theosophia, from θεοσοφία, from θεός + σοφία.

ChatGPT

  1. theosophy

    Theosophy is a philosophical or religious system or doctrine that aims to achieve direct knowledge or spiritual insight into the nature of divinity, the universe, life, and humanity, often involving elements of mysticism, spiritualism, and occultism. It is associated with the Theosophical Society, founded in New York in 1875, which promotes an eclectic combination of religious, philosophical, and scientific ideas, drawing on Buddhism and Hinduism.

Webster Dictionary

  1. Theosophynoun

    any system of philosophy or mysticism which proposes to attain intercourse with God and superior spirits, and consequent superhuman knowledge, by physical processes, as by the theurgic operations of some ancient Platonists, or by the chemical processes of the German fire philosophers; also, a direct, as distinguished from a revealed, knowledge of God, supposed to be attained by extraordinary illumination; especially, a direct insight into the processes of the divine mind, and the interior relations of the divine nature

Wikidata

  1. Theosophy

    Theosophy, refers to systems of esoteric philosophy concerning, or investigation seeking direct knowledge of, presumed mysteries of being and nature, particularly concerning the nature of divinity. Theosophy is considered a part of the broader field of esotericism, referring to hidden knowledge or wisdom that offers the individual enlightenment and salvation. The word esoteric dates back to the 2nd century CE. The theosophist seeks to understand the mysteries of the universe and the bonds that unite the universe, humanity and the divine. The goal of theosophy is to explore the origin of divinity and humanity, and the world. From investigation of those topics theosophists try to discover a coherent description of the purpose and origin of the universe.

Chambers 20th Century Dictionary

  1. Theosophy

    thē-os′ō-fi, n. immediate divine illumination or inspiration claimed to be possessed by specially gifted men, who also possess abnormal control over natural forces.—ns. Thē′ōsoph, Theos′opher, Theos′ophist, one who claims to believe in immediate divine illumination.—adjs. Theosoph′ic, -al, pertaining to theosophy.—adv. Theosoph′ically.—v.i. Theos′ophise, to practise theosophy.—n. Theos′ophism, theosophical tenets.—adj. Theosophi′stical, theosophical. [Gr. theōsophiatheos, God, sophia, wisdom.]

The Nuttall Encyclopedia

  1. Theosophy

    a mystic philosophy of very difficult definition which hails from the East, and was introduced among us by Madame Blavatsky, a Russian lady, who was initiated into its mysteries in Thibet by a fraternity there who professed to be the sole custodiers of its secrets as the spiritual successors of those to whom it was at first revealed. The radical idea of the system appears to be reincarnation, and the return of the spirit to itself by a succession of incarnations, each one of which raises it to a higher level until, by seven stages it would seem, the process is complete, matter has become spirit, and spirit matter, God has become man, and man God, agreeably somewhat to the doctrine of Amiel, that "the complete spiritualisation of the animal element in us is the task of our race," though with them it seems rather to mean its extinction. The adherents of this system, with their head-quarters at Madras, are numerous and wide-scattered, and form an organisation of 300 branches, having three definite aims: (1) To establish a brotherhood over the world irrespective of race, creed, caste, or sex; (2) to encourage the study of comparative philosophy, religion, and science; and (3) to investigate the occult secrets of nature and the latent possibilities of man. The principal books in exposition of it are, "The Secret Doctrine," "Isis Unveiled," "The Key to Theosophy," by Mme. Blavatsky; "Esoteric Buddhism," "The Occult World," &c., by Sinnett; "The Ancient Wisdom," "The Birth and Evolution of the Soul," &c., by Annie Besant.

Matched Categories

How to pronounce theosophy?

How to say theosophy in sign language?

Numerology

  1. Chaldean Numerology

    The numerical value of theosophy in Chaldean Numerology is: 9

  2. Pythagorean Numerology

    The numerical value of theosophy in Pythagorean Numerology is: 5

Popularity rank by frequency of use

theosophy#10000#57774#100000

Translations for theosophy

From our Multilingual Translation Dictionary

Get even more translations for theosophy »

Translation

Find a translation for the theosophy definition in other languages:

Select another language:

  • - Select -
  • 简体中文 (Chinese - Simplified)
  • 繁體中文 (Chinese - Traditional)
  • Español (Spanish)
  • Esperanto (Esperanto)
  • 日本語 (Japanese)
  • Português (Portuguese)
  • Deutsch (German)
  • العربية (Arabic)
  • Français (French)
  • Русский (Russian)
  • ಕನ್ನಡ (Kannada)
  • 한국어 (Korean)
  • עברית (Hebrew)
  • Gaeilge (Irish)
  • Українська (Ukrainian)
  • اردو (Urdu)
  • Magyar (Hungarian)
  • मानक हिन्दी (Hindi)
  • Indonesia (Indonesian)
  • Italiano (Italian)
  • தமிழ் (Tamil)
  • Türkçe (Turkish)
  • తెలుగు (Telugu)
  • ภาษาไทย (Thai)
  • Tiếng Việt (Vietnamese)
  • Čeština (Czech)
  • Polski (Polish)
  • Bahasa Indonesia (Indonesian)
  • Românește (Romanian)
  • Nederlands (Dutch)
  • Ελληνικά (Greek)
  • Latinum (Latin)
  • Svenska (Swedish)
  • Dansk (Danish)
  • Suomi (Finnish)
  • فارسی (Persian)
  • ייִדיש (Yiddish)
  • հայերեն (Armenian)
  • Norsk (Norwegian)
  • English (English)

Word of the Day

Would you like us to send you a FREE new word definition delivered to your inbox daily?

Please enter your email address:


Citation

Use the citation below to add this definition to your bibliography:

Style:MLAChicagoAPA

"theosophy." Definitions.net. STANDS4 LLC, 2024. Web. 25 Apr. 2024. <https://www.definitions.net/definition/theosophy>.

Discuss these theosophy definitions with the community:

0 Comments

    Are we missing a good definition for theosophy? Don't keep it to yourself...

    Image or illustration of

    theosophy

    Credit »

    Free, no signup required:

    Add to Chrome

    Get instant definitions for any word that hits you anywhere on the web!

    Free, no signup required:

    Add to Firefox

    Get instant definitions for any word that hits you anywhere on the web!

    Browse Definitions.net

    Quiz

    Are you a words master?

    »
    cause to be embarrassed; cause to feel self-conscious
    A efface
    B elaborate
    C abash
    D emanate

    Nearby & related entries:

    Alternative searches for theosophy: