speculative philosophy

American  

noun

1. philosophy embodying beliefs insusceptible of proof and attempting to gain insight into the nature of the ultimate by intuitive or a priori means.

---

Etymology

Origin of speculative philosophy

First recorded in 1855–60

Example Sentences

The Abbasid rulers also faced religious divisions and criticism, even as the cosmopolitan nature of the caliphate sparked the growth of speculative philosophy and rationalizing thought.

From Textbooks • Apr. 19, 2023

If “Clarissa” is an epistolary novel, then so, really, is “The Post Card” — and then half of “Tristram Shandy” is speculative philosophy.

From New York Times • Jan. 20, 2022

It needed an infusion of the �sthetic element, and the larger outlook of a truly speculative philosophy.

From Reminiscences, 1819-1899 by Howe, Julia Ward

Their speculative philosophy is theistic, for it starts from the conviction that there is a personal God.

From The Christian View of the Old Testament by Eiselen, Frederick Carl

The ancient Hindu philosophers, the Greeks, and all early nations that had begun a speculative philosophy, wonderingly tried to ascertain whence language came.

From History of Human Society by Blackmar, Frank W. (Frank Wilson)