B2 verb Neutral

philosophy

/fɪˈlɒs.ə.fi/

Philosophy is the study of the fundamental nature of knowledge, reality, and existence, especially when considered as an academic discipline. It also refers to a specific set of beliefs, values, or principles that guide the behavior and outlook of an individual or an organization.

Examples

3 of 5
1

My personal philosophy is to always treat others with the same respect I would like to receive.

My individual way of thinking involves treating everyone with equal respect.

2

The university's department of philosophy is hosting a lecture on the ethics of artificial intelligence.

The academic section focused on logic and ethics is holding a talk about AI morality.

3

I don't really have a deep philosophy about life; I just take things one day at a time.

I don't have a complicated set of life rules; I just live day by day.

Word Family

Noun
philosophy
Verb
philosophize
Adverb
philosophically
Adjective
philosophical
Related
philosopher
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Memory Tip

Remember the Greek roots: 'Philo' means love and 'Sophy' means wisdom. A philosopher is someone who loves wisdom.

Quick Quiz

The university's _____ department is conducting research on the nature of reality.

Correct!

The correct answer is: a

Examples

1

My personal philosophy is to always treat others with the same respect I would like to receive.

everyday

My individual way of thinking involves treating everyone with equal respect.

2

The university's department of philosophy is hosting a lecture on the ethics of artificial intelligence.

formal

The academic section focused on logic and ethics is holding a talk about AI morality.

3

I don't really have a deep philosophy about life; I just take things one day at a time.

informal

I don't have a complicated set of life rules; I just live day by day.

4

Ancient Greek philosophy laid the foundations for much of Western scientific and political thought.

academic

The intellectual systems of ancient Greece created the basis for modern Western logic.

5

The company philosophy centers on environmental sustainability and long-term ethical growth.

business

The business's core principles focus on protecting nature and growing honestly.

Word Family

Noun
philosophy
Verb
philosophize
Adverb
philosophically
Adjective
philosophical
Related
philosopher

Common Collocations

moral philosophy The study of ethics and right conduct.
philosophy of life A personal perspective on how one should live.
political philosophy The study of fundamental questions about the state and government.
corporate philosophy The core values and beliefs of a business entity.
educational philosophy A set of beliefs about how teaching and learning should happen.

Common Phrases

Doctor of Philosophy

A PhD, the highest degree awarded by a university in many fields.

keep a philosophical attitude

To remain calm and sensible when facing trouble or disappointment.

armchair philosophy

Theories or thoughts developed without practical experience or deep study.

Often Confused With

philosophy vs psychology

Philosophy uses logic and reasoning to explore existence, whereas psychology is the scientific study of the mind and human behavior.

philosophy vs ideology

Ideology usually refers to a rigid system of political or social beliefs, while philosophy is often a broader pursuit of truth.

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Usage Notes

Philosophy is typically an uncountable noun when referring to the academic subject. However, it can be used as a countable noun (philosophies) when comparing different schools of thought or individual systems of belief.

⚠️

Common Mistakes

Learners often misspell the word as 'philisophy' or 'philosopy'. Additionally, avoid using it to mean 'mood' or 'feeling'; it specifically refers to a structured way of thinking.

💡

Memory Tip

Remember the Greek roots: 'Philo' means love and 'Sophy' means wisdom. A philosopher is someone who loves wisdom.

📖

Word Origin

From the Greek 'philosophia', literally meaning the 'love of wisdom'.

Grammar Patterns

Uncountable when referring to the academic discipline. Countable when referring to specific sets of beliefs. Preceded by 'a' when describing a specific type of personal outlook.
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Cultural Context

In Western history, philosophy is known as the 'mother of all sciences' because many modern scientific disciplines originated from philosophical inquiries.

Quick Quiz

The university's _____ department is conducting research on the nature of reality.

Correct!

The correct answer is: a

Related Words

overcredant

C1

To accord excessive belief or trust to a statement, theory, or individual without sufficient verification. It describes the act of being overly ready to accept something as true, often disregarding critical analysis or conflicting evidence.

overmercery

C1

Relating to an excessive or obsessive focus on trade, commerce, and the buying or selling of goods. It describes a mindset where mercantile interests and the pursuit of commercial profit override social, ethical, or aesthetic considerations.

multihabacy

C1

To maintain a presence or existence across multiple habitats, environments, or distinct social spheres simultaneously. It describes the active process of adapting to and functioning within diverse physical or conceptual spaces.

foretheist

C1

To prefigure or establish a theological framework or belief in a deity before a main religious system becomes dominant. It is often used in academic contexts to describe the historical anticipation of a specific religious shift.

hyperultimness

C1

To reach or push a process, system, or state to its absolute final and most extreme limit of completion or perfection. It involves the deliberate act of maximizing every possible variable to achieve a definitive, ultimate result.

adnegation

C1

Adnegation is a formal term referring to the act of denial or refusal. It is most commonly used in legal, philosophical, or highly formal contexts to describe the rejection of a claim, request, or proposition.

synannous

C1

A botanical term used as a noun to refer to a plant species or specimen in which the leaves and flowers appear at the same time. It describes a specific phenological state where the vegetative and reproductive stages of a plant's annual cycle overlap perfectly.

unsumcide

C1

To intentionally dismantle a summary or total conclusion, often by breaking a consolidated result back down into its original disparate parts. It is typically used in analytical contexts to describe the invalidation or reversal of an aggregated data set.

innascible

C1

Describing something that cannot be born or has no beginning or origin. It is a highly specialized term used primarily in theology and philosophy to refer to uncreated or eternal beings.

nonanthropancy

C1

The state or quality of being non-human or the absence of human involvement, characteristics, and perspectives. It refers to entities, systems, or environments that exist or operate independently of human influence or anthropocentric values.

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