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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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CEFR C2 Vocabulary
dialectic
dialectic
[noun]

a structured method of reasoning in which truth is reached through the systematic exchange of logical arguments

Ex: Through dialectic, the students discovered the flaws in the original proposal .
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weltanschauung

a person's overall philosophical perspective or worldview

Ex: Enlightenment brought shifts in weltanschauung.
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nihilism
nihilism
[noun]

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

Ex: Writers in the 19th century explored nihilism in Russian society .
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utilitarianism

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 .
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stoicism
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 .
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solipsism
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 .
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ontology
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 .
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monism
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.
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objectivism

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 .
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subjectivism

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 .
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absurdism
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 .
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teleology
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 .
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cogito
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 .
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monad
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 .
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pragmatism

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 .
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noumenon
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 .
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transcendence

a state of existing beyond the bounds of physical or material experience

Ex: He sought transcendence in nature , far from the city 's distractions .
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empiricism

(in philosophy) the doctrine that knowledge is derived from sensory experience rather than theory or intuition

Ex: She studied empiricism to understand the roots of modern science .
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Taoism
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: The influence of Taoism can be seen in Chinese poetry and landscape painting .
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libertarianism

a philosophy advocating minimal government intervention and prioritizing individual freedom

Ex: Libertarianism advocates reducing government involvement in areas like healthcare and education .
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dualism
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 .
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fatalism
fatalism
[noun]

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

Ex: Fatalism often raises debates about free will and moral responsibility .
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deconstruction

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

Ex: Deconstruction destabilizes established assumptions .
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hedonism
hedonism
[noun]

an ethical doctrine holding that the pursuit of pleasure is the highest good and proper aim of life

Ex: The debate compared utilitarianism and hedonism as moral systems .
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Cartesian
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 .
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Kantian
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 .
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socratic
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.
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transcendental
transcendental
[Adjective]

relating to or characteristic of a philosophy that emphasizes intuition and the spiritual over empirical or material experience

Ex: The essay explores how transcendental ideas shaped 19th-century literature .
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tenet
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 .
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