C2 Level Wordlist - Philosophy

Here you will learn all the essential words for talking about Philosophy, collected specifically for level C2 learners.

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dialectic

[noun]

a method of uncovering the truth about something by comparing contradicting ideas and considering different theories

Ex: The dialectic process involves thesis , antithesis , and synthesis , where conflicting ideas are confronted and reconciled to arrive at a higher truth .

weltanschauung

[noun]

a person's overall philosophical perspective or worldview

Ex: Enlightenment brought shifts in weltanschauung.

nihilism

[noun]

a system of thought that considers life as meaningless and rejects religious beliefs, moral principles, legal rules, etc.

Ex: While nihilism is often associated with despair and pessimism , some philosophers view it as a liberating philosophy that frees individuals from the constraints of conventional morality and ideology .

utilitarianism

[noun]

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

Ex: Utilitarianism is often applied in fields such as public policy , economics , and ethics , where decisions are made with the aim of maximizing social welfare or utility .

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 can lead to a sense of isolation , as the individual 's reality becomes confined to their own consciousness .

ontology

[noun]

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

Ex: In contemporary philosophy , ontology intersects with other disciplines such as logic , metaphysics , and epistemology , shaping our understanding of the fundamental structure of reality .

monism

[noun]

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

Ex: The unity of mind and body in Spinoza 's philosophy exemplifies a form of monism.

objectivism

[noun]

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

Ex: Ayn Rand 's novels , such as " The Fountainhead " and " Atlas Shrugged , " dramatize the principles of objectivism, illustrating her vision of heroic individualism and the creative power of the human mind .

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: The debate between objectivism and subjectivism in philosophy revolves around whether moral and epistemological claims can be grounded in objective reality or are inherently subjective .

absurdism

[noun]

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

Ex: The works of existentialist writers , such as Camus ' " The Stranger " and Samuel Beckett 's " Waiting for Godot , " often delve into themes of absurdism, highlighting the human struggle to find meaning in a meaningless world .

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: The field of artificial intelligence ethics grapples with questions related to teleology, ethical goals , and the potential unintended consequences of AI systems .

cogito

[noun]

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

Ex: The cogito serves as a pivotal point in Western philosophy , providing a starting ground for Descartes ' subsequent inquiries into knowledge , reality , and the nature of being .

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: Monadology , Leibniz 's philosophical treatise , explores the nature of monads and their role in the harmonious pre-established order of the universe .

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: The debates among philosophers regarding the merits of idealism versus pragmatism have deep roots in the history of philosophical thought .

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: Kant 's concept of noumenon has influenced debates in philosophy of mind , addressing questions about the nature of consciousness and subjective experience .

transcendence

[noun]

the state of surpassing ordinary experience to reach higher understanding or existence

Ex: Transcendence leads to unity with the cosmos beyond self-limitations .

empiricism

[noun]

a theory stating that all knowledge is derived from experience

Ex: Critics of empiricism argue that it may overlook the importance of a priori knowledge and the inherent structures of the mind that influence how we perceive and interpret experiences .

Taoism

[noun]

a Chinese philosophy focusing on living in harmony with the Tao, the fundamental principle of the universe

Ex: Taoism encourages finding contentment in simplicity .

libertarianism

[noun]

a philosophy advocating minimal government intervention and prioritizing individual freedom

Ex: Libertarianism advocates reducing government involvement in areas like healthcare and education .

dualism

[noun]

the belief that reality consists of two fundamental and opposing components, such as mind and body or good and evil

Ex: Gender dualism explores the binary classification of gender roles and identities into male and female categories .

fatalism

[noun]

the belief that events and outcomes are predetermined and inevitable, with little or no control by individuals

Ex: The fatalistic viewpoint often arises in discussions about destiny, chance, and the nature of existence.

deconstruction

[noun]

a philosophy method that reveals and challenges underlying assumptions in texts and concepts

Ex: Deconstruction destabilizes established assumptions .

hedonism

[noun]

a system of belief that the highest of good is when one is in the pursuit of pleasure

Ex: Critics of hedonism argue that an excessive focus on pleasure can lead to selfishness and a neglect of responsibilities and long-term goals .

Cartesian

[Adjective]

related to the philosophical concepts of René Descartes, particularly his focus on rationalism and mind-body dualism

Ex: A cartesian skeptic , employing methodical doubt , challenges the certainty of knowledge .

Kantian

[Adjective]

relating to the philosophical principles advocated by Immanuel Kant, focusing on rationality and morality

Ex: Guided by Kantian ethics , moral reasoning is steered by the principle of consistency .

socratic

[Adjective]

related to the teaching or method of questioning used by the ancient Greek philosopher Socrates

Ex: The principles of the Socratic method are still widely used in education and philosophy today.

transcendental

[Adjective]

relating to a system of thought emphasizing intuition and spirituality over empirical evidence, seeking to understand reality beyond the physical world

Ex: Transcendental philosophy challenges the materialistic assumptions of mainstream science, advocating for a deeper understanding of existence.

tenet

[noun]

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

Ex: The tenet of freedom of speech is a cornerstone of democratic societies , promoting open discourse and expression .

C2 Level Wordlist

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C2 Level Wordlist - Philosophy