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Philosophy

/fɪˈlɒs.ə.fi/ · noun

Meaning

(uncountable) An academic discipline that seeks truth through reasoning rather than empiricism, often attempting to provide explanations relating to general concepts such as existence and rationality..

Definitions by Sense

  1. (uncountable) An academic discipline that seeks truth through reasoning rather than empiricism, often attempting to provide explanations relating to general concepts such as existence and rationality.
  2. (countable) A view or outlook regarding fundamental principles underlying some domain.
  3. (countable) A general principle (usually moral).
  4. (countable) A comprehensive system of belief.
  5. (uncountable, originally, now rare) The love of wisdom.
  6. (uncountable, dated) A calm and thoughtful demeanor; calmness of temper.
  7. (printing, dated) Synonym of small pica (especially in French printing).
  8. (countable, archaic) A broader branch of (non-applied) science.

Example Sentences

Philosophy is often divided into five major branches: logic, metaphysics, epistemology, ethics and aesthetics.
During the whole time of his abode in the university he generally spent thirteen hours of the day in study; by which assiduity besides an exact dispatch of the whole course of philosophy, he read over in a manner all classic authors that are extant[…]
a philosophy of government; a philosophy of education
As a matter of fact the Enlightment culture was based on a philosophy inspired to an ethical laicism whose aim was to create a better society based on principles such as solidarity, equality of rights and duties, and full freedom.
Although I prefer small pica. Or as its^([sic]) sometimes known, philosophy. – Small pica, or philosophy, she said. It sounds like the title of a novel. With a girl heroine.
natural philosophy
Plato hath (in my seeming) loved this manner of Philosophying, Dialogue wise in good earnest, that therby he might more decently place in sundry mouthes the diversity and variation of his owne conceits.

Synonyms for philosophy

philosophyworldviewethosdoctrineideologysmall picaismschool of thought

Antonyms for philosophy

Related Words

ismschool of thoughtdoctrinephilosophicalideaphilosopherethosconceptmentalitythoughtnotionideologymindsetlogicprinciplereasoningculturelogicalspiritunderstanding

Word Forms

Usage Notes

Choose a synonym only when it preserves the intended meaning, tone, and grammar of the full sentence.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What does philosophy mean?

Philosophy means (uncountable) An academic discipline that seeks truth through reasoning rather than empiricism, often attempting to provide explanations relating to general concepts such as existence and rationality..

What is a synonym for philosophy?

Common synonyms include philosophy, worldview, ethos, doctrine.

What is the opposite of philosophy?

The opposite depends on the specific sense.

How do you use philosophy in a sentence?

Philosophy is often divided into five major branches: logic, metaphysics, epistemology, ethics and aesthetics.

Sources & Attribution

FreeDictionaryAPI.com / Wiktionary · Original source · CC BY-SA 4.0

Dictionary data is provided by FreeDictionaryAPI.com and sourced from Wiktionary under its stated license.