philosophy

philosophy — noun

1. the study of basic questions about existence, knowledge, and right and wrong, us

1.nounB2
Definition

the study of basic questions about existence, knowledge, and right and wrong, using careful reasoning to explore possible answers.

Example

At National Taiwan University, Mei studies philosophy and political history.

study philosophy at university

In philosophy class, the students discussed whether animals can think.

philosophy class

Common collocations
  • study philosophy
  • philosophy class
  • philosophy teacher
  • book on philosophy
Synonyms

Grammar Patterns

study philosophy

book on philosophy

philosophy class

Usage Note

Usually uncountable when naming the academic subject: people say study philosophy, not study a philosophy. Distinguish from sense 3, which is a guiding set of beliefs or values.

Common Mistakes

I study a philosophy at university.
I study philosophy at university.
when you mean the subject in general, philosophy is usually uncountable.

2. a connected set of ideas for understanding one area, such as education, science,

2.noun
Definition

a connected set of ideas for understanding one area, such as education, science, or art.

Example

Her paper compares two philosophies of language learning in primary schools.

plural philosophies of + subject

The course introduces the philosophy of science through simple case studies.

philosophy of + subject

Common collocations
  • philosophy of science
  • philosophy of law
  • philosophy of art
  • philosophy behind
Synonyms
  • theory

    can be narrower and may explain only one part of a subject

  • framework

    emphasizes the structure used to understand a field

  • approach

    broader and often more practical than intellectual

Grammar Patterns

philosophy of science

philosophy of education

different philosophies of art

Usage Note

Often appears in phrases such as philosophy of science or philosophy of education. Distinguish from sense 3, which is about guiding values rather than ideas within one field.

3. the main beliefs and values that shape how a person, group, or organization acts

3.noun
Definition

the main beliefs and values that shape how a person, group, or organization acts.

Example

The charity's philosophy puts children before office rules.

charity's philosophy

Our family philosophy is simple: eat together and tell the truth.

family philosophy is ...

Common collocations
  • company philosophy
  • family philosophy
  • training philosophy
  • owner's philosophy
Synonyms
  • principles

    highlights rules or standards rather than the whole system

  • values

    focuses on what a person or group thinks is important

  • creed

    more formal and can sound fixed or religious

Grammar Patterns

the company's philosophy

our philosophy is ...

a philosophy of fair pay

Usage Note

Often belongs to a person, family, company, or team and explains the values behind decisions. Distinguish from sense 4, which focuses on one person's attitude to life more generally.

Common Mistakes

Our company has a philosophy to workers.
Our company has a philosophy of treating workers fairly.
after philosophy, English often uses of + noun or of + -ing to show the guiding idea.

4. someone's usual way of viewing life and handling its difficulties.

4.nounC1
Definition

someone's usual way of viewing life and handling its difficulties.

Example

After losing his job, Ken kept his philosophy: move slowly and stay kind.

philosophy: quoted personal rule

Mina's philosophy in hard times is to laugh first and panic later.

philosophy is to ...

Common collocations
  • personal philosophy
  • philosophy of life
  • live by a philosophy
  • philosophy is to
Synonyms
  • outlook

    describes a general view of life or the future

  • attitude

    can be narrower and more tied to one situation

  • mindset

    common modern word for a habitual way of thinking

Grammar Patterns

my philosophy is to ...

live by a philosophy

philosophy of + -ing

Usage Note

Often used for a personal rule for living and commonly follows possessives such as my, his, or Lina's. Distinguish from sense 3, which can describe the shared values of a group or organization.

Word family

Synonym discussion

Sense: noun/1

In sense 1, philosophy is the broad subject that asks basic questions about reality, knowledge, and how people should live. Ethics is one branch inside philosophy and focuses on right and wrong action. Logic is narrower still: it studies whether reasons and arguments are valid. Metaphysics is another branch, dealing with what is ultimately real and what kinds of things exist. Theology studies God and religious belief; it can use philosophy, but it usually starts from a religious tradition. So you can study philosophy at university, take a logic class, and write an essay on ethics. If someone says, "Her degree is in philosophy," they mean the whole field, not just one branch.

ethics ↗logic ↗metaphysicstheology ↗

Etymology

GreekLatinOld FrenchEnglish

Philosophy came into English through Old French and Latin from Greek philosophia. The Greek word joined philo-, meaning loving, with sophia, meaning wisdom. Because of that history, philosophy first carried the idea of a love of wisdom, and later became the name of the subject that examines the deepest questions about life, knowledge, and reality.