dialectic
[noun]
a structured method of reasoning in which truth is reached through the systematic exchange of logical arguments
Ex:
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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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:
empiricism
[noun]
(in philosophy) the doctrine that knowledge is derived from sensory experience rather than theory or intuition
Ex:
The
theory
reflects
empiricism
in
its
insistence
on
evidence
from
experience
.
Taoism
[noun]
a Chinese philosophy and religion founded on the teachings of Lao-tzu and developed by Chuang-tzu, emphasizing harmony with the Tao, simplicity, and natural order
Ex:
Taoism
values
simplicity
,
humility
,
and
balance
over
ambition
.
libertarianism
[noun]
a philosophy advocating minimal government intervention and prioritizing individual freedom
Ex:
Libertarianism
upholds
individual
rights
and
voluntary
interactions
.
dualism
[noun]
the belief that reality consists of two fundamental and opposing components, such as mind and body or good and evil
Ex:
Epistemological
dualism
asserts
a
fundamental
distinction
between
the
realms
of
knowledge
,
separating
subjective
experiences
from
objective
reality
.
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
.
deconstruction
[noun]
a philosophy method that reveals and challenges underlying assumptions in texts and concepts
Ex:
Derrida
's
deconstruction
critiques
Western
philosophy
.
hedonism
[noun]
an ethical doctrine holding that the pursuit of pleasure is the highest good and proper aim of life
Ex:
Critics
argue
that
hedonism
overlooks
duty
and
self-discipline
.
Cartesian
[adjective]
related to the philosophical concepts of René Descartes, particularly his focus on rationalism and mind-body dualism
Ex:
Cartesian
rationalism
asserts
that
knowledge
comes from
innate
ideas
and
reason
.
Kantian
[adjective]
relating to the philosophical principles advocated by Immanuel Kant, focusing on rationality and morality
Ex:
Kantian
moral principles
are
characterized
by
their
universal
applicability
.
socratic
[adjective]
related to the teaching or method of questioning used by the ancient Greek philosopher Socrates
Ex:
The
Socratic
approach
to
learning
encourages
active
engagement
and
reflection
rather than
passive
acceptance
of
information
.
transcendental
[adjective]
relating to or characteristic of a philosophy that emphasizes intuition and the spiritual over empirical or material experience
Ex:
Kant
's
notion
of
the
"
transcendental
"
concerns
the
conditions
that
make
knowledge
possible
.
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
.