Final answer:
There is no specific reference to a philosopher with four degrees of brotherhood in the excerpts provided. The concepts presented align with Plato's philosophy, which emphasizes a progression towards enlightenment and ethical living connected to an understanding of higher forms of knowledge but does not explicitly mention such degrees.
Step-by-step explanation:
The philosopher who had four degrees of brotherhood is not explicitly mentioned in the excerpts provided. However, concepts such as the progression toward enlightenment and accessing higher forms of knowledge are reflective of Plato's philosophy. Plato's own hierarchical society divided into guardians, auxiliaries, and laborers parallels these stages of progression in wisdom and virtue. Furthermore, in the realm of ethics, Plato believed that understanding the true nature of virtues like wisdom and courage would invariably lead to ethical action and that philosopher-kings should be rulers due to their clear understanding of forms. This suggests a connection with the divine and the ethical, though Plato does not specify degrees of brotherhood per se.
In the various philosophical traditions mentioned, there is continued emphasis on the pursuit and actualization of wisdom, whether through the Middle Path in Buddhism, the understanding of purușa in Samkhya, the discipline of yoga, or the logical methodologies of Nyaya. All these point towards a progression in understanding and purification. Nonetheless, without a clear reference to four specific degrees of brotherhood as stated, it's challenging to attribute the concept to a single philosopher.