philosophy

philosophy — 名詞

1. the study of basic questions about existence, knowledge, and right and wrong, us

1.名詞B2
釋義

哲學

研究存在、知識與善惡等根本問題

the study of basic questions about existence, knowledge, and right and wrong, using careful reasoning to explore possible answers.

例句

At National Taiwan University, Mei studies philosophy and political history.

在台灣大學，Mei 讀哲學和政治史。

study philosophy at university

In philosophy class, the students discussed whether animals can think.

在哲學課上，學生討論動物會不會思考。

philosophy class

同義詞

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

❌I study a philosophy at university.
✅I study philosophy at university.
💡when you mean the subject in general, philosophy is usually uncountable.

2. a connected set of ideas for understanding one area, such as education, science,

2.名詞
釋義

學理

某領域背後的理論觀點

a connected set of ideas for understanding one area, such as education, science, or art.

例句

Her paper compares two philosophies of language learning in primary schools.

她的報告比較小學語言學習的兩套學理。

plural philosophies of + subject

The course introduces the philosophy of science through simple case studies.

這門課用簡單案例介紹科學哲學的基本想法。

philosophy of + subject

同義詞
  • theory

    can be narrower and may explain only one part of a subject

  • framework

    emphasizes the structure used to understand a field

  • approach

    broader and often more practical than intellectual

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

3.名詞
釋義

理念

個人或團體奉行的核心信念

the main beliefs and values that shape how a person, group, or organization acts.

例句

The charity's philosophy puts children before office rules.

這家慈善機構的理念，是把孩子放在行政規定前面。

charity's philosophy

Our family philosophy is simple: eat together and tell the truth.

我們家的理念很簡單：一起吃飯，說真話。

family philosophy is ...

同義詞
  • 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

❌Our company has a philosophy to workers.
✅Our company has a philosophy of treating workers fairly.
💡after philosophy, English often uses of + noun or of + -ing to show the guiding idea.

4. someone's usual way of viewing life and handling its difficulties.

4.名詞C1
釋義

人生觀

面對生活的態度與做法

someone's usual way of viewing life and handling its difficulties.

例句

After losing his job, Ken kept his philosophy: move slowly and stay kind.

丟了工作後，Ken 仍保持自己的人生觀：慢慢來，保持善良。

philosophy: quoted personal rule

Mina's philosophy in hard times is to laugh first and panic later.

Mina 在困難時期的人生觀是先笑，再緊張。

philosophy is to ...

同義詞
  • outlook

    describes a general view of life or the future

  • attitude

    can be narrower and more tied to one situation

  • mindset

    common modern word for a habitual way of thinking

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.