C244 words
Philosophical Vocabulary
Technical terms used in academic philosophy.
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Words in this collection
- epistemologynounɪˌpɪstɪˈmɒlədʒɪThe branch of philosophy that studies the nature, origin, and limits of knowledge.
- ontologynounɒnˈtɒlədʒɪThe branch of metaphysics dealing with the nature of being, existence, or reality; a particular theory about the nature of being or the kinds of things that exist.
- metaphysicsˌmɛt əˈfɪz ɪksThe branch of philosophy concerned with the fundamental nature of reality, existence, and abstract concepts such as being, time, space, causality, and substance.
- phenomenologynounfɪˌnɒm əˈnɒl ə dʒiThe philosophical study of structures of consciousness and experience as they appear to us, without reference to theories about their origin or external reality.
- hermeneuticsnounˌhɜr məˈnu tɪksThe theory and methodology of interpretation, especially of scriptural, literary, or philosophical texts.
- dialecticnounˌdaɪəˈlɛktɪkA method of reasoning or argument that proceeds by examining and resolving contradictions between opposing ideas.
- teleologynounˌtɛl iˈɒl ə dʒiThe philosophical study or assumption that phenomena are directed toward some end or purpose, that design or purpose is inherent in nature or history.
- determinismdɪˈtɜːmɪˌnɪzəmThe philosophical doctrine that all events, including human decisions and actions, are causally predetermined by preceding events or natural laws, leaving no real free will.
- nominalismnounˈnɒm ə nlˌɪz əmThe philosophical doctrine that abstract concepts, general terms, or universals have no independent existence but are merely names or labels.
- realismnounˈri əˌlɪz əmthe attitude or practice of accepting a situation as it is and being prepared to deal with it accordingly; also, in art and literature, the accurate, unembellished depiction of nature or contemporary life.
- idealismnounaɪˈdi əˌlɪz əmThe belief that ideas, values, and principles are the most important things, often leading to behavior or policies based on high moral standards or the pursuit of a perfect vision, rather than on practical or realistic considerations.
- materialismnounməˈtɪərɪəˌlɪzəmA value system that prioritizes physical possessions, wealth, and bodily comfort over spiritual or intellectual values.
- dualismˈdu əˌlɪz əmThe division of something into two opposed or contrasted aspects, such as mind and body, good and evil, or spiritual and material.
- monismnounˈmɒn ɪz əmThe philosophical view that reality consists of a single, fundamental substance or principle.
- solipsismˈsɒlɪpˌsɪzəmThe philosophical idea that the only thing one can be certain of is the existence of one's own mind; the self is the only reality.
- empiricismnounɛmˈpɪrɪˌsɪzəmThe theory that all knowledge originates from sensory experience and observation.
- rationalismnounˈræʃənəˌlɪzəmThe philosophical belief that reason and logical analysis are the primary sources of knowledge and truth, superior to sensory experience or religious doctrine.
- pragmatismnounˈpræɡməˌtɪzəmA practical approach to problems and affairs, focusing on what works rather than on theories or ideals.
- nihilismnounˈnaɪɪˌlɪzəmThe rejection of all religious and moral principles, the belief that life is meaningless.
- existentialismnounˌɛɡzɪˈstɛnʃəˌlɪzəmA philosophical theory or approach which emphasizes the existence of the individual person as a free and responsible agent determining their own development through acts of the will, and the view that human beings define their own meaning in an indifferent universe.
- absurdismnounæbˈsɜr dɪz əmA philosophy or belief system stating that the universe is inherently irrational, meaningless, and chaotic, and that human efforts to find meaning or order in it are futile.
- stoicismnounˈstoʊ əˌsɪz əmThe endurance of pain or hardship without the display of feelings and without complaint.
- epicureanismnounˌɛp ɪ kyʊˈri əˌnɪz əmA philosophical system that holds pleasure, particularly refined and intellectual pleasure free from pain, as the highest good.
- utilitarianismjuːˌtɪlɪˈtɛərɪəˌnɪzəmThe ethical doctrine that actions are right if they are useful or beneficial to the majority of people; specifically, that the greatest happiness of the greatest number should be the guiding principle of conduct.
- deontologynounˌdiːɒnˈtɒlədʒɪThe ethical theory that the morality of an action should be based on whether that action itself is right or wrong under a series of rules, rather than based on the consequences of the action.
- virtueˈvɜr tʃuMoral excellence and righteousness; a quality considered morally good or desirable in a person.
- consequentialismnounˌkɒnsɪˈkwɛnʃəˌlɪzəmThe ethical theory that the morality of an action is determined solely by its consequences.
- relativismnounˈrɛl ə təˌvɪz əmThe doctrine that knowledge, truth, or morality is not absolute but depends on the perspective of the individual or cultural context.
- universalismnounˌjuːnɪˈvɜːsəˌlɪzəmThe belief that certain ideas, principles, or rights apply to all people in all cultures and historical periods.
- naturalismnoun-tʃərə-The philosophical or artistic doctrine that everything in the universe can be explained by natural causes and laws, without supernatural or spiritual explanations.
- supernaturalismnoun-ˈnætʃərə-The belief in, or study of, supernatural forces, entities, or events that exist outside the laws of nature.
- transcendencenountrænˈsɛn dənsThe state or quality of being above and beyond the ordinary limits of a particular domain or category.
- immanencenounˈɪm ə nənsThe state of being present within or inherent to something, especially a deity's presence within the universe.
- substancenounˈsʌbstənsA particular type of solid, liquid, or gas; matter with specific physical and chemical properties.
- attributeverb-transitiveəˈtrɪb yutA quality, feature, or characteristic inherent in or ascribed to someone or something; also, the action of regarding something as being caused by a person or thing.
- essencenounˈɛs ənsThe intrinsic, fundamental nature or most important quality of something.
- existencenounɪgˈzɪs tənsThe state of being alive or present in the real world.
- beingˈbi ɪŋThe state or quality of existing; a living creature or entity.
- becomingadjectivebɪˈkʌm ɪŋSuitable, attractive, or flattering; appropriate to one's appearance or status. Also, the process of coming into existence.
- consciousnessnounˈkɒn ʃəs nɪsThe state of being aware of and responsive to one's surroundings, thoughts, and existence.
- subjectivitynounˌsʌb dʒɛkˈtɪv ɪ tithe quality of being based on or influenced by personal feelings, tastes, or opinions rather than objective facts or evidence.
- objectivitynounˌɒb dʒɪkˈtɪv ɪ tiThe state or quality of being impartial, unbiased, and based on facts rather than personal feelings or opinions.
- intentionalitynounɪnˌtɛn ʃəˈnæl ɪ tiThe property of mental states (like beliefs, desires) being *about* something; being directed toward an object or state of affairs.
- hypotheticaladjectiveˌhaɪ pəˈθɛt ɪ kəlBased on a suggested idea or theory rather than on something known to be true or real; supposed for the sake of argument.