philosophy
- philosophy
-
noun
(plural -phies)
Etymology: Middle English philosophie, from Anglo-French, from Latin philosophia, from Greek, from philosophos philosopher
Date: 14th century
1.
a.
(1) all learning exclusive of technical precepts and practical arts
(2) the sciences and liberal arts exclusive of medicine, law, and theology <
a doctor of philosophy
>
(3) the 4-year college course of a major seminary
b.
(1) archaic physical science
(2) ethics
c. a discipline comprising as its core logic, aesthetics, ethics, metaphysics, and epistemology
2.
a. pursuit of wisdom
b. a search for a general understanding of values and reality by chiefly speculative rather than observational means
c. an analysis of the grounds of and concepts expressing fundamental beliefs
3.
a. a system of philosophical concepts
b. a theory underlying or regarding a sphere of activity or thought <the philosophy of war
> <philosophy of science
>
4.
a. the most basic beliefs, concepts, and attitudes of an individual or group
b. calmness of temper and judgment befitting a philosopher
New Collegiate Dictionary.
2001.
Synonyms:
Look at other dictionaries:
philosophy — (Gk., love of knowledge or wisdom) The study of the most general and abstract features of the world and categories with which we think: mind, matter, reason, proof, truth, etc. In philosophy, the concepts with which we approach the world… … Philosophy dictionary
philosophy of language — language, philosophy of … Philosophy dictionary
philosophy of law — law, philosophy of … Philosophy dictionary
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philosophy of religion — religion, philosophy of … Philosophy dictionary
philosophy of science — science, philosophy of … Philosophy dictionary
Philosophy — • Detailed article on the history of the love of wisdom Catholic Encyclopedia. Kevin Knight. 2006. Philosophy Philosophy † … Catholic encyclopedia
philosophy — Philosophy (from the Greek philo (love) and sophia (wisdom)) in British culture has undergone a series of revolutionary changes since 1960. Until recently, English language philosophy was dominated by analytic and linguistic philosophy based… … Encyclopedia of contemporary British culture
Philosophy — Phi*los o*phy (f[i^]*l[o^]s [ o]*f[y^]), n.; pl. {Philosophies} (f[i^]*l[o^]s [ o]*f[i^]z). [OE. philosophie, F. philosophie, L. philosophia, from Gr. filosofi a. See {Philosopher}.] 1. Literally, the love of, inducing the search after, wisdom;… … The Collaborative International Dictionary of English
philosophy — Philosophy in the early years of the twentieth century was heavily influenced by two different traditions. On the one hand, there was the legacy of the Europeanizing movement known as Krausism, a kind of secular humanism with a religious tinge … Encyclopedia of contemporary Spanish culture
philosophy — [fi läs′ə fē] n. pl. philosophies [ME philosophie < OFr < L philosophia < Gr < philosophos: see PHILOSOPHER] 1. Archaic love of, or the search for, wisdom or knowledge 2. theory or logical analysis of the principles underlying conduct … English World dictionary