It sounds like Socrates may be one of the earliest believers in gnosticism. He thinks that the body is evil and the the soul is good. He says that the soul tries to escape the evils of the body. That is why he believes that true philosophers do not partake in the pleasures of the flesh. He did not completely follow all of what gnosticism became in the first and second century, but he definitely believed in the foundational values of that religion. His life revolved around gaining knowledge and wisdom and helping others to do so as well. Did Socrates start gnosticism or did he get it from someone else? He certainly passed his views on to Plato, who is considered a source of the religion.
I commented on Francesca and Natalie's posts.
I never thought of that before. I definitely agree that he could have been fundamental in starting gnosticism.
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