philosophy
gb/fəlˈɑsəfi/ us/fəlˈɑsəfi/
B1
Anglais
~ 2400
Sens
0 sens
Nom
B1
entity
1
study of knowledge and existence
The study of ideas about life, knowledge, truth, and the meaning of things.
Schéma d’usage :
[someone] studies philosophy
Erreur fréquente :
Learners sometimes confuse 'philosophy' with 'psychology', but psychology studies the mind and behavior scientifically, while philosophy deals with ideas and reasoning.
Synonymes
metaphysics (A branch of philosophy focusing specifically on the fundamental nature of reality.)
Antonymes
science (In contrast, science studies the natural world through observation and experiment rather than abstract reasoning alone.)
Collocations
study philosophy
|philosophy department
|Western philosophy
|moral philosophy
|ancient philosophy
Thèmes
education
|ideas
|science
Exemples
- She decided to major in philosophy at university.
- Philosophy asks deep questions about the meaning of life.
- The course covers the history of Western philosophy.
- Many great works of philosophy were written in ancient Greece.
- He enjoys reading books on philosophy in his spare time.
Exemples pédagogiques
- I study philosophy at school.
- Philosophy is about big ideas.
- She reads books about philosophy.
- Philosophy asks what is true.
- He likes to talk about philosophy.
Nom
B1
entity
2
guiding beliefs or principles
A way of thinking or a set of rules that guide how someone acts or makes decisions.
Schéma d’usage :
[someone's] philosophy is [that-clause]
Erreur fréquente :
Learners sometimes think 'philosophy' in this sense means only academic study, but here it refers to everyday guiding ideas.
Synonymes
creed (Often used for religious or moral guiding principles.)
Antonymes
impulsiveness (Acting without a guiding set of principles or forethought.)
Collocations
personal philosophy
|company philosophy
|teaching philosophy
|life philosophy
Thèmes
life
|values
|education
|core_vocabulary
Exemples
- Her personal philosophy is to treat others with kindness.
- The company's philosophy focuses on customer satisfaction.
- His teaching philosophy emphasizes hands-on learning.
- My life philosophy is to always keep learning.
- Their management philosophy encourages teamwork.
Exemples pédagogiques
- My philosophy is to be kind.
- His philosophy is to work hard.
- The company has a new philosophy.
- Her philosophy is to help people.
- Our team's philosophy is to share ideas.
Nom
C1
state
3
calm acceptance of difficulties
Staying calm and thinking clearly when bad things happen.
Erreur fréquente :
Learners may not realize this sense is figurative compared to academic 'philosophy'. It refers to attitude, not study.
Synonymes
stoicism (A more specific term for enduring pain or hardship without showing feelings.)
Antonymes
panic (An uncontrolled emotional reaction to difficulty or danger.)
Collocations
philosophy in the face of trouble
Thèmes
emotions
|life
|core_vocabulary
Exemples
- He accepted the bad news with remarkable philosophy.
- She faced the challenges with quiet philosophy.
- They handled the loss with a lot of philosophy.
Exemples pédagogiques
- He took the bad news with philosophy.
- She stayed calm with philosophy.
- They showed philosophy when they lost.
Grammaire
Forme canonique
philosophy
API
GB/fəlˈɑsəfi/
US/fəlˈɑsəfi/
Syllabes et accentuation
philo - sophy (2 syllabes)
Stress on 2nd syllable (sophy)
Formes du mot
Noun
- Base: philosophy
- Plural: philosophies, philosophy
Famille de mots
Forms
philosophies
noun
Core family
philosopher
noun B1
philosophical
adjective C1
Related words
philosophically
adverb
philosophize
verb
Negative and opposite forms
unphilosophical
adjective
Advanced or less common
philosophic
adjective
Expressions
branch of philosophy
1/bɹˈænt͡ʃ əv fəlˈɑsəfi/
fixed phrase
technical
specialized area of philosophical study
One part of the study of philosophy that looks at a certain type of question.
Exemples
- Ethics is a branch of philosophy that studies right and wrong.
- Logic is another important branch of philosophy.
philosophy of life
1/fəlˈɑsəfi əv lˈaɪf/
fixed phrase
guiding principles for living
A person's main ideas about how life should be lived.
Exemples
- Her philosophy of life is to enjoy every moment.
- Honesty forms the core of his philosophy of life.
school of philosophy
1/skˈul əv fəlˈɑsəfi/
fixed phrase
formal
group with shared philosophical beliefs
A group of thinkers who share the same ideas about important questions in life and knowledge.
Exemples
- Stoicism is an ancient school of philosophy.
- Many schools of philosophy emerged in ancient Greece.