PHILOSOPHY

noun (plural -phies) Etymology: Middle English philosophie, from Anglo-French, from Latin philosophia, from Greek, from philosophos philosopher Date: 14th century 1. a. all learning exclusive of technical precepts and practical arts, the sciences and liberal arts exclusive of medicine, law, and theology , the 4-year college course of a major seminary, b. physical science , ethics, a discipline comprising as its core logic, aesthetics, ethics, metaphysics, and epistemology, 2. pursuit of wisdom, a search for a general understanding of values and reality by chiefly speculative rather than observational means, an analysis of the grounds of and concepts expressing fundamental beliefs, 3. a system of philosophical concepts, a theory underlying or regarding a sphere of activity or thought , 4. the most basic beliefs, concepts, and attitudes of an individual or group, calmness of temper and judgment befitting a philosopher