philosophy

The word “philosophy” means the academic study of fundamental questions about existence, knowledge, ethics, and reasoning. In plain terms, either the academic subject that studies big questions about life and knowledge, or someone's personal set of guiding beliefs.

“Philosophy” is pronounced fih-LOS-uh-fee (/fɪˈlɑ.sə.fi/ in IPA).

Here is “philosophy” used in a sentence: “She majored in philosophy at university.”

“Philosophy” is a noun.

The word “philosophy” comes from Ancient Greek. From Latin philosophia, borrowed from Ancient Greek philosophia — literally "love of wisdom," from philos ("loving") plus sophia ("wisdom").

“Philosophy” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.

“Philosophy” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: the academic study of fundamental questions about existence, knowledge, ethics, and reasoning.

Philosophy is traditionally divided into a few core areas. Metaphysics asks what exists and what reality is; epistemology studies knowledge and how we know things; ethics examines right and wrong; logic sets the rules of valid reasoning; and aesthetics explores beauty and art. Together they cover its biggest questions.

Science tests ideas through observation and experiment, seeking measurable answers about the physical world. Philosophy tackles questions that experiments cannot settle — the nature of existence, morality, meaning, and knowledge itself — using reasoning and argument. The two overlap historically, and philosophy often examines the assumptions and methods that science relies on.

Philosophical questions probe things we cannot simply look up. Examples include: Does free will exist? What makes an action right or wrong? Can we truly know anything for certain? What gives life meaning? Is the mind separate from the body? Such questions invite reasoned debate rather than a single proven answer.

Philosophy trains people to think clearly, question assumptions, and build sound arguments — skills useful far beyond the subject itself. It underpins ethics, law, politics, and science by examining the ideas they rest on. Studying it helps you reason carefully about how to live, what to believe, and why it matters.