philosophy

Etymology

From Middle English philosophie, Old French philosophie, and their source, Latin philosophia, from Ancient Greek φιλοσοφία (philosophía), from φίλος (phílos, “loving”) + σοφία (sophía, “wisdom”). Synchronically, philo- + -sophy. Displaced native Old English ūþwitegung.

noun

1. (uncountable, originally) The love of wisdom.
2. (uncountable) An academic discipline that seeks truth through reasoning rather than empiricism, often attempting to provide explanations relating to general concepts such as existence and rationality.
   Philosophy is often divided into five major branches: logic, metaphysics, epistemology, ethics and aesthetics.
   During the whole time of his abode in the university he generally spent thirteen hours of the day in study; by which assiduity besides an exact dispatch of the whole course of philosophy, he read over in a manner all classic authors that are extant[…] 1661, John Fell, The Life of the most learned, reverend and pious Dr. H. Hammond
3. (countable) A comprehensive system of belief.
4. (countable) A view or outlook regarding fundamental principles underlying some domain.
   a philosophy of government; a philosophy of education
5. (countable) A general principle (usually moral).
   As a matter of fact the Enlightment culture was based on a philosophy inspired to an ethical laicism whose aim was to create a better society based on principles such as solidarity, equality of rights and duties, and full freedom. 2012, Francesca Valensise, From Building Fabric to City Form: Reconstruction in Calabria at end of Eighteenth Century, Gangemi Editore spa, page 8
6. (archaic) A broader branch of (non-applied) science.
7. A calm and thoughtful demeanor; calmness of temper.
8. (printing, dated) Synonym of small pica (especially in French printing).
   Although I prefer small pica. Or as its sometimes known, philosophy. – Small pica, or philosophy, she said. It sounds like the title of a novel. With a girl heroine. 2010, Thomas Wharton, Salamander, Emblem Editions

verb

1. (now rare) To philosophize.