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Meaning & use

philosophy

noun·Academic

Last updated

UK/fəˈlɒsəfi/
US/fəˈlɑːsəfi/

Meanings

  1. noununcountable

    The academic study of questions about knowledge, existence, reason, values, and the mind.

    Grammar: Usually uncountable when naming the discipline: study philosophy. It does not mean a personal opinion here.

    Patterns

    • study philosophy
    • teach philosophy
    • philosophy of science

    She studies philosophy and computer science.

    The course covers logic, ethics, and philosophy of mind.

  2. nouncountable or uncountable

    A person’s or group’s guiding beliefs about how to live or act.

    Grammar: Countable for a particular set of beliefs; often singular with my/our. It is broader than one opinion.

    Patterns

    • a philosophy of life
    • someone’s philosophy
    • a management philosophy

    His philosophy is to repair before replacing.

    The school has a simple philosophy: read every day.

    Her parenting philosophy changed after the twins arrived.

  3. nouncountable

    A particular set of ideas in an area such as business, design, or sport that shapes decisions.

    Grammar: Countable; often a philosophy of education, design, coaching. It suggests a system, not a passing mood.

    Patterns

    • coaching philosophy
    • design philosophy
    • a customer-service philosophy

    The app reflects a design philosophy of fewer buttons.

    Our coaching philosophy puts rest before extra drills.

Word forms

pluralphilosophies

Common combinations

study philosophy
He wants to study philosophy at university.
philosophy of life
Her philosophy of life is to leave places better than she found them.
coaching philosophy
The coach explained his philosophy before training began.
moral/political philosophy
The debate links climate policy with political philosophy.

Synonyms and how they differ

worldview
A general view of life; philosophy can be academic or a guiding set of principles.
ideology
A fixed political or social belief system; philosophy is broader and may be more questioning.
ethics
Concerns right and wrong; philosophy includes ethics but also logic and knowledge.
creed
A concise statement of belief; philosophy is usually a larger system of thought.

Word family

philosopher noun
A person who studies or thinks deeply about philosophy.
philosophical adjective
Relating to philosophy, or calm about difficulty.
philosophically adverb
In a philosophical way; also calmly or thoughtfully.
philosophize verb
To discuss ideas in an abstract or reflective way.

Commonly confused: philosophy or psychology? philosophy or philanthropy?

philosophy vs psychology

Psychology studies the mind and behaviour scientifically; philosophy studies questions of knowledge, value, and existence.

philosophy vs philanthropy

Philanthropy is charitable giving; philosophy is a discipline or set of beliefs.

Practice

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