philosophy

[ fi-los-uh-fee ]

/ fɪˈlɒs ə fi /

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See synonyms for: philosophy / philosophies on Thesaurus.com

noun, plural phi·los·o·phies.

the rational investigation of the truths and principles of being, knowledge, or conduct.

any of the three branches, namely natural philosophy, moral philosophy, and metaphysical philosophy, that are accepted as composing this study.

a particular system of thought based on such study or investigation: the philosophy of Spinoza.

the critical study of the basic principles and concepts of a particular branch of knowledge, especially with a view to improving or reconstituting them: the philosophy of science.

a system of principles for guidance in practical affairs.

an attitude of rationality, patience, composure, and calm in the presence of troubles or annoyances.

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Origin of philosophy

1250–1300; Middle English philosophie<Latin philosophia<Greek philosophía.See philo-, -sophy

OTHER WORDS FROM philosophy

an·ti·phi·los·o·phy, adjective, noun, plural an·ti·phi·los·o·phies.non·phi·los·o·phy, noun, plural non·phi·los·o·phies.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use philosophy in a sentence

The two carriers are headquartered in Kuala Lumpur but have vastly different profiles and operating philosophies.
The Presumed Crash of AirAsia Flight QZ8501 Is Nothing Like MH370|Lennox Samuels|December 29, 2014|DAILY BEAST
An amazing battle between two different philosophies has taken place on our TV screens during the last 15 years.
Five Lessons the Faltering Music Industry Could Learn From TV|Ted Gioia|August 3, 2014|DAILY BEAST
I've carved out my own life, based on my own cultural philosophies, and left the debate behind (mostly).
This Is What It Is Like To Be Deaf From Birth|Quora Contributor|December 23, 2013|DAILY BEAST
Stay: A History of Suicide and the Philosophies Against Itby Jennifer Michael Hecht.
This Week’s Hot Reads: Nov. 18, 2013|Thomas Flynn|November 18, 2013|DAILY BEAST

Instead they are men, real men, with philosophies, dreams, humor, and deep sadness.
Finding God Behind Bars: A Look at Religion in American Prisons|Joshua DuBois|August 25, 2013|DAILY BEAST
He wandered from city to city and village to village to relieve misery and teach duties rather than theological philosophies.
Beacon Lights of History, Volume I|John Lord
This is nothing more than a somewhat gross form of a doctrine upheld by most creeds and most philosophies.
The Myths of the New World|Daniel G. Brinton
He re-read Kipling's Chant-Pagan with a new understanding, and began to search into neglected philosophies.
Security|Poul William Anderson
Macfarlane had books, serious books: histories, philosophies, and scientific works; also a Bible and a dictionary.
Mark Twain, A Biography, 1835-1910, Complete|Albert Bigelow Paine
Clemens listened and seemed soothed and impressed, but his philosophies were too wide and too deep for creeds and doctrines.
Mark Twain, A Biography, 1835-1910, Complete|Albert Bigelow Paine

British Dictionary definitions for philosophy

philosophy

/ (fɪˈlɒsəfɪ) /

noun plural -phies

the academic discipline concerned with making explicit the nature and significance of ordinary and scientific beliefs and investigating the intelligibility of concepts by means of rational argument concerning their presuppositions, implications, and interrelationships; in particular, the rational investigation of the nature and structure of reality (metaphysics), the resources and limits of knowledge (epistemology), the principles and import of moral judgment (ethics), and the relationship between language and reality (semantics)

the particular doctrines relating to these issues of some specific individual or schoolthe philosophy of Descartes

the critical study of the basic principles and concepts of a disciplinethe philosophy of law

archaic, or literary the investigation of natural phenomena, esp alchemy, astrology, and astronomy

any system of belief, values, or tenets

a personal outlook or viewpoint

serenity of temper

Word Origin for philosophy

C13: from Old French filosofie, from Latin philosophia, from Greek, from philosophos lover of wisdom

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Cultural definitions for philosophy

philosophy

A study that attempts to discover the fundamental principles of the sciences, the arts, and the world that the sciences and arts deal with; the word philosophy is from the Greek for “love of wisdom.” Philosophy has many branches that explore principles of specific areas, such as knowledge (epistemology), reasoning (logic), being in general (metaphysics), beauty (aesthetics), and human conduct (ethics).

Different approaches to philosophy are also called philosophies. (See also epicureanism, existentialism, idealism, materialism, nihilism, pragmatism, stoicism, and utilitarianism.)

philosophy

Origin of philosophy

OTHER WORDS FROM philosophy

Words related to philosophy

How to use philosophy in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for philosophy

Word Origin for philosophy

Cultural definitions for philosophy