Vocabulary for IELTS Academic (Band 8-9) - Philosophy

Here, you will learn some English words related to Philosophy that are necessary for the Academic IELTS exam.

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Vocabulary for IELTS Academic (Band 8-9)

metaphysics [noun]

a branch of philosophy that deals with abstract concepts such as existence or reality

Ex: The concept of the soul is often explored within the realm of metaphysics .

epistemology [noun]

the branch of philosophy that studies the nature, sources, and limits of knowledge

Ex: Skepticism is a central topic in epistemology .

nihilism [noun]

the rejection or denial of all established authority, values, and institutions

Ex: Some philosophers critique nihilism for undermining moral frameworks .

utilitarianism [noun]

the doctrine that the best measure or decision is the one that satisfies the majority of people

Ex: Critics of utilitarianism argue that it can lead to morally objectionable outcomes , such as sacrificing the rights or well-being of minorities for the greater good of the majority .

stoicism [noun]

an ancient Greek philosophy that values virtue and encourages living in harmony with nature's divine Reason

Ex: By learning to distinguish between what is and is n't within our control , stoicism provides tools for inner peace .

solipsism [noun]

a philosophical concept or belief system that asserts the self as the only reality and that only the individual's mind is sure to exist

Ex: Solipsism challenges the idea of objective reality , positing that only the individual 's mind is truly known .

ontology [noun]

the branch of philosophy that is concerned with concepts such as existence, being, and reality

Ex: Ontology seeks to uncover the ultimate nature of reality , addressing questions about the nature of existence , identity , and change .

monism [noun]

a philosophical theory asserting that all of reality is fundamentally unified and derived from a single substance or principle

Ex: Spinoza 's philosophy embraces monism , asserting that God and nature are two aspects of the same ultimate substance .

objectivism [noun]

a philosophy that emphasizes individual rights, reason, and laissez-faire capitalism

Ex: Objectivism advocates for laissez-faire capitalism as the ideal social system , arguing that it respects individual rights and fosters human flourishing .

subjectivism [noun]

a notion in philosophy according to which knowledge, moral values, and ethical obligations are subjective and there is no external or objective truth

Ex: Critics of subjectivism argue that it leads to moral relativism , where any action can be justified based on individual beliefs , undermining shared ethical norms .

absurdism [noun]

the belief that life is inherently meaningless, yet individuals can create their own meaning

Ex: The philosophy of absurdism explores the tension between humans ' desire for meaning and the silent , indifferent universe that offers none .

teleology [noun]

the study of purpose, design, and final causes in the natural world, exploring the idea that things have inherent goals or intentions

Ex: In discussions about artificial intelligence , questions of teleology arise regarding the purpose and goals programmed into machines .

cogito [noun]

the philosophy illustrating the core acknowledgment of one's existence through the act of thinking

Ex:

monad [noun]

a fundamental, indivisible entity or substance, often associated with Leibnizian philosophy, possessing inherent characteristics and reflecting the entire universe from its unique perspective

Ex: The concept of monads has been debated and adapted in various philosophical traditions , influencing discussions on mind-body dualism and metaphysics .

pragmatism [noun]

a philosophical movement that emerged in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, emphasizing the practical consequences and real-world effectiveness of beliefs, theories, and actions

Ex: According to the principles of philosophical pragmatism , truth is not an abstract concept but is defined by its utility and effectiveness in achieving practical goals .

noumenon [noun]

a philosophical term referring to the intrinsic nature of a thing, independent of human perception, in contrast to phenomena which are how things appear to human observers

Ex:

fatalism [noun]

the philosophical doctrine that all events are predetermined and humans cannot change them

Ex: The novel 's plot reflected a worldview steeped in fatalism .

tenet [noun]

a fundamental belief or principle that is central to a system of thought, philosophy, or religion

Ex: The scientific tenet of empiricism emphasizes the reliance on observable evidence and experimentation in the pursuit of knowledge .

Vocabulary for IELTS Academic (Band 8-9)
Size and Scale	Dimensions and Areas	Weight and Steadiness	Shapes
Increase in Amount	Decrease in Amount	Intensity	Speed
Significance	Uniqueness	Value	Complexity
Challenges	Quality	Success	Failure
Body Shape	Age and Appearance	Wellness	Intelligence
Human Traits	Positive Emotional Responses	Negative Emotional Responses	Positive Emotional States
Negative Emotional States	Social Behaviours	Tastes and Smells	Textures
Sounds	Temperature	Opinions	Thoughts and Decisions
Encouragement and Discouragement	Respect and Approval	Request and Suggestion	Attempt and Prevention
Movements	Body Language and Gestures	Commanding and Giving Permissions	Engaging in Verbal Communication
Eating and Drinking	Preparing Food	Science	Changing and Forming
Education	Astronomy	Physics	Biology
Chemistry	Geology	Philosophy	Psychology
Maths and Graphs	Geometry	Environment	Energy and Power
Landscape and Geography	Engineering	Technology	Internet
Computer	History	Religion	Culture and Custom
Language	Arts	Music	Film and Theatre
Literature	Architecture	Marketing	Finance
Management	Medicine	Sickness and Symptoms	Law
Crime	Punishment	Government	Politics
War	Measurement	Emotions	Travel and Migration
Weather	Pollution	Disasters	Animals
Food and Drinks	Adverbs of Manner