philosophy
philosophy — noun
1. the study of basic questions about existence, knowledge, and right and wrong, us
the study of basic questions about existence, knowledge, and right and wrong, using careful reasoning to explore possible answers.
At National Taiwan University, Mei studies philosophy and political history.
study philosophy at university
In philosophy class, the students discussed whether animals can think.
philosophy class
Her philosophy teacher asked why people should tell the truth.
After dinner, Omar read a book on Greek philosophy.
In Professor Chen's class, Leo discovered philosophy during a debate on lying.
- philosophical inquiry
a formal term for examining fundamental questions
- philosophical study
emphasizes the academic subject more directly
- thought
much broader and not always academic or systematic
文法句型
study philosophy
book on philosophy
philosophy class
用法筆記
Usually uncountable when naming the academic subject: people say study philosophy, not study a philosophy. Distinguish from sense 3, which is a guiding set of beliefs or values.
常見錯誤
2. a connected set of ideas for understanding one area, such as education, science,
a connected set of ideas for understanding one area, such as education, science, or art.
Her paper compares two philosophies of language learning in primary schools.
plural philosophies of + subject
The course introduces the philosophy of science through simple case studies.
philosophy of + subject
This chapter explains the philosophy of law with everyday examples.
Professor Lin studies the philosophy of art, not painting skills.
The parents' debate centered on the philosophy behind modern school exams.
文法句型
philosophy of science
philosophy of education
different philosophies of art
用法筆記
Often appears in phrases such as philosophy of science or philosophy of education. Distinguish from sense 3, which is about guiding values rather than ideas within one field.
3. the main beliefs and values that shape how a person, group, or organization acts
the main beliefs and values that shape how a person, group, or organization acts.
The charity's philosophy puts children before office rules.
charity's philosophy
Our family philosophy is simple: eat together and tell the truth.
family philosophy is ...
The coach built his training philosophy around patience and daily effort.
At the restaurant, every new worker is taught the owner's philosophy first.
The brand's philosophy rejects cheap materials, even when customers want lower prices.
- principles
highlights rules or standards rather than the whole system
- values
focuses on what a person or group thinks is important
- creed
more formal and can sound fixed or religious
文法句型
the company's philosophy
our philosophy is ...
a philosophy of fair pay
用法筆記
Often belongs to a person, family, company, or team and explains the values behind decisions. Distinguish from sense 4, which focuses on one person's attitude to life more generally.
常見錯誤
4. someone's usual way of viewing life and handling its difficulties.
someone's usual way of viewing life and handling its difficulties.
After losing his job, Ken kept his philosophy: move slowly and stay kind.
philosophy: quoted personal rule
Mina's philosophy in hard times is to laugh first and panic later.
philosophy is to ...
Grandpa lives by a simple philosophy of helping neighbors before strangers.
When plans fail, Diego's philosophy is to start again the next morning.
Lina's calm philosophy helped the family through two difficult years.
文法句型
my philosophy is to ...
live by a philosophy
philosophy of + -ing
用法筆記
Often used for a personal rule for living and commonly follows possessives such as my, his, or Lina's. Distinguish from sense 3, which can describe the shared values of a group or organization.