philosophies

Variant of philosophy

noun pl. philosophies

  1. Archaic love of, or the search for, wisdom or knowledge
  2. theory or logical analysis of the principles underlying conduct, thought, knowledge, and the nature of the universe: included in philosophy are ethics, aesthetics, logic, epistemology, metaphysics, etc.
  3. the general principles or laws of a field of knowledge, activity, etc.: the philosophy of economics
    1. a particular system of principles for the conduct of life
    2. a treatise covering such a system
  4. a study of human morals, character, and behavior
  5. mental balance or composure thought of as resulting from the study of philosophy
  6. Obsolete natural philosophy

Origin: ME philosophie < OFr < L philosophia < Gr < philosophos: see philosopher

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2010 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

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