philosophy

n.

1. The study of knowledge

   theory, reasoned doctrine, explanation of phenomena, logical concept, systematic view, theory of knowledge, early science, natural philosophy; see also knowledge 1.

   Fields of philosophy include: aesthetics, logic, ethics, ontology, cosmology, metaphysics, epistemology, psychology, axiology.

2. Schools of philosophy include: Egyptian, Confucianism, Ionian, Milesian, Pythagorean, Eleatic, Sophist, Cyrenaic, Cynic, Megarian, Platonic, Aristotelian, Epicurean, Stoic, Skeptic, Gnostic, Neo-Platonic, Eclectic, Patristic, Arabian, Jewish, Cabalist, Scholastic, Modern, Marxist.

3. Philosophic attitudes include: idealism, realism, stoicism, deism, existentialism, nihilism, mechanism, naturalism, determinism, natural realism, intuitionism, utilitarianism, teleology, nominalism, conceptualism, pragmatism, monism, dualism, egoism, pluralism, pejorism, Kantianism, Hegelianism, logical empiricism, absolutism, transcendentalism, logical positivism.

4. A fundamental principle

   truth, axiom, conception; see basis 1, law 4, theory 1.

5. A personal attitude or belief

   outlook, view, worldview, Weltanschauung (German); see belief 1, opinion 1, viewpoint.