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Definition of philosophy noun from the Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary

philosophy

noun
 
 
/fəˈlɒsəfi/
 
/fəˈlɑːsəfi/
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  1.  
     [uncountable] the study of the nature and meaning of the universe and of human life
    • philosophy of something the philosophy of science
    • a professor of philosophy
    • a degree in philosophy
    see also moral philosophy, natural philosophyTopics Educationb2
    Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadjective
    • ancient
    • classical
    • Enlightenment
    • …
    phrases
    • the philosophy of history, religion, science, etc.
    See full entry
  2.  
     [countable, uncountable] a particular set or system of beliefs resulting from the search for knowledge about life and the universe
    • Buddhist/Eastern/Hindu philosophy
    • the philosophy of Aristotle
    • the development of different philosophies
    Extra Examples
    • the attraction of Marxism as a social philosophy
    • humanism—the prevailing philosophy today in the Western world
    Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadjective
    • competing
    • differing
    • governing
    • …
    verb + philosophy
    • develop
    • formulate
    • articulate
    • …
    philosophy + verb
    • guide something
    • influence something
    • inform something
    • …
    preposition
    • philosophy behind
    phrases
    • a philosophy of life
    • a philosophy of mind
    See full entry
  3.  
     [countable] a set of beliefs or an attitude to life that guides somebody’s behaviour
    • philosophy of something Her philosophy of life is to take every opportunity that presents itself.
    • a furniture-maker's design philosophy
    see also cracker-barrel philosophy
    Extra Examples
    • Does this in any way reflect your own philosophy?
    • He holds firmly to a Buddhist philosophy of life.
    • Over the years he has developed his own personal philosophy.
    • The new measures were introduced with no explanation of the philosophy behind them.
    • These ideas are based on his political philosophy.
    • We share the same guiding philosophy.
    • developing a personal philosophy
    • the homespun philosophy that kept her going during this difficult period
    • the management philosophy which prevailed at that time
    • the philosophy underlying the education system
    • My own philosophy is to take all the opportunities you can in life.
    • Those who have different political philosophies might nonetheless come to some agreement.
    Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadjective
    • competing
    • differing
    • governing
    • …
    verb + philosophy
    • develop
    • formulate
    • articulate
    • …
    philosophy + verb
    • guide something
    • influence something
    • inform something
    • …
    preposition
    • philosophy behind
    phrases
    • a philosophy of life
    • a philosophy of mind
    See full entry
    4. Word OriginMiddle English: from Old French philosophie, via Latin from Greek philosophia ‘love of wisdom’.
See philosophy in the Oxford Advanced American DictionarySee philosophy in the Oxford Learner's Dictionary of Academic English
Check pronunciation: philosophy

Nearby words

hide-and-seek
noun
 
 
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