Philosophy & Thinking Vocabulary

the theory of knowledge, especially regarding methods and validity

“Epistemology asks how we can know what we know.”

Origin: Greek episteme `knowledge, understanding` from epistanai `to know, understand` + -logia `study of`

the branch of metaphysics dealing with the nature of being

“Ontology examines what it means for something to exist.”

Origin: Greek on (ont-) `being` from einai `to be` + -logia `study of`

the branch of philosophy dealing with first principles and the nature of reality

“Metaphysics explores questions about existence and reality.”

Origin: Greek meta ta physika `after the physics` from meta `after, beyond` + physika `natural things`

the art of investigating truths through discussion and logical argument

“Through dialectic, they arrived at a deeper understanding.”

Origin: Greek dialektike (techne) `(art of) debate` from dialegesthai `to converse` from dia- `through` + legein `to speak`

a method enabling discovery or problem-solving through practical experience

“Trial and error is a basic heuristic for learning.”

Origin: Greek heuriskein `to find, discover` related to heureka `I have found it`

the defining spirit or mood of a particular period of history

“The art captured the zeitgeist of the revolutionary era.”

Origin: German Zeitgeist from Zeit `time` + Geist `spirit`

a particular philosophy or view of life; a worldview

“Her weltanschauung was shaped by her upbringing.”

Origin: German Weltanschauung from Welt `world` + Anschauung `perception, view`

relating to knowledge that is independent of experience

“Mathematical truths are considered a priori knowledge.”

Origin: Latin a priori `from what comes before` from a `from` + priori ablative of prior `former`

relating to knowledge derived from observation or experience

“Scientific knowledge is largely a posteriori.”

Origin: Latin a posteriori `from what comes after` from a `from` + posteriori ablative of posterior `coming after`

a statement that is true by necessity; needless repetition of an idea

“Saying 'free gift' is a tautology since gifts are always free.”

Origin: Greek tautologia `repetition of what has been said` from tauto `the same` + -logia `saying`

a seemingly absurd statement that may actually be true

“The paradox of choice suggests more options can lead to less satisfaction.”

Origin: Greek paradoxon `contrary to expectation` from para- `contrary to` + doxa `opinion`

a division into two mutually exclusive or contradictory groups

“The dichotomy between work and life is a false one.”

Origin: Greek dichotomia `a cutting in two` from dicha `in two, asunder` + -tomia `a cutting`

a person or thing that is the direct opposite of something

“Her views were the antithesis of his conservative beliefs.”

Origin: Greek antithesis `opposition` from antitithenai `to set against` from anti- `against` + tithenai `to place`

the combination of ideas to form a coherent whole

“His philosophy was a synthesis of Eastern and Western thought.”

Origin: Greek synthesis `a putting together` from syntithenai `to place together` from syn- `together` + tithenai `to place`

the explanation of phenomena by the purpose they serve

“Teleology asks what purpose evolution serves.”

Origin: Greek telos `end, purpose` + -logia `study of`

the doctrine that all events are determined by prior causes

“Hard determinism denies the existence of free will.”

Origin: French déterminisme from Latin determinare `to limit, determine` from de- `completely` + terminare `to bound`

the view that only one's own mind is sure to exist

“Solipsism is difficult to refute but hard to accept.”

Origin: Latin solus `alone` + ipse `self` + -ism

a philosophy emphasizing individual existence and freedom of choice

“Existentialism holds that we create our own meaning in life.”

Origin: Latin existentia `existence` from existere `to emerge, exist` from ex- `out` + sistere `to stand`

the doctrine that actions are right if they benefit the majority

“Utilitarianism weighs the greatest good for the greatest number.”

Origin: Latin utilitas `usefulness` from utilis `useful` from uti `to use` + -ism

the doctrine that knowledge and truth exist only in relation to culture or society

“Moral relativism suggests ethics vary by culture.”

Origin: Latin relativus `having reference to` from relatus past participle of referre `to carry back` + -ism

a belief or theory that opinions and actions should be based on reason and knowledge

“Rationalism emphasizes the role of reason in acquiring knowledge.”

Origin: Latin rationalis `of reason` from ratio `reckoning, reason` from reri `to reckon` + -ism

the practice of forming or pursuing ideals, especially unrealistically

“Her youthful idealism clashed with the harsh realities of politics.”

Origin: Greek idea `form, pattern` from idein `to see` + Latin -alis suffix + -ism