Words / B2

fi-LOS-uh-fee/fɪˈlɒsəfi/

Philosophy is the study of ideas, or a set of working beliefs: moral philosophy; a design philosophy. Theory is narrower; policy is what an institution actually does. Do not treat a behaviour policy as a philosophy essay. Uncountable for the subject; a philosophy of… for a stance.

Meaning

The study of existence, knowledge, and values; also a set of beliefs about how to live or work.

Examples

• “Do not treat the school’s behaviour policy as a philosophy essay.”
• “The lab’s philosophy of open data is a stance, which is the workplace sense.”

Good to know

moral / political philosophy; a philosophy of + noun. Stance: a philosophy. Subject is uncountable. RS and design briefs. Not a synonym of policy.

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