Word

philosophy

noun B2

UK /fɪˈlɒs.ə.fi/

US /fɪˈlɑ.sə.fi/

Meanings

noun

the academic study of fundamental questions about reality, knowledge, and ethics

noun

a person’s or organization’s guiding beliefs and principles for making decisions and living

Definition

Philosophy is the study of basic questions about reality, knowledge, values, and how we should live.

Philosophy is a field of study that uses careful reasoning to explore big questions about existence, truth, and morality. It often involves analyzing arguments, defining concepts, and questioning assumptions. People also use the word to mean a guiding set of principles that shapes how someone thinks and acts.

Examples

I took a philosophy course because I wanted to learn how to think more clearly about tough questions.
Her philosophy is to focus on what she can control and let go of the rest.
The company’s philosophy encourages managers to trust their teams and give them autonomy.
They argued about philosophy late into the night, but they still respected each other in the morning.

Common mistake

Learners often confuse philosophy (a field of ideas) with psychology (the study of mind and behavior).