[phi.los.o.phy] n, pl -phies [ME philosophie, fr. OF, fr. L philosophia, fr. Gk, fr. philosophos philosopher] (14c) 1 a (1): all learning exclusive of technical precepts and practical arts (2): the sciences and liberal arts exclusive of medicine, law, and theology "a doctor of ~" (3): the 4-year college course of a major seminary b (1) archaic: physical science (2): ethics c: a discipline comprising as its core logic, aesthetics, ethics, metaphysics, and epistemology
2. a: pursuit of wisdom b: a search for a general understanding of values and reality by chiefly speculative rather than observational means c: an analysis of the grounds of and concepts expressing fundamental beliefs 3 a: a system of philosophical concepts b: a theory underlying or regarding a sphere of activity or thought "the ~ of war" "~ of science"
4. a: the most general beliefs, concepts, and attitudes of an individual or group b: calmness of temper and judgment befitting a philosopher