Glossary
References
A
Abstraction
The process of separating or generalizing features, concepts, or qualities from their specific instances to form a generalized idea. In philosophy, abstraction is often used in analysis, conceptualizing properties independently from physical objects.
Aesthetics
The branch of philosophy dealing with the nature of beauty, art, taste, and the creation and appreciation of beauty.
B
Being
A fundamental concept in metaphysics referring to existence or the state of having objective reality. It examines what it means to "be" and considers the nature of entities.
Benevolence
The moral quality or disposition of doing good and acting for the well-being of others. In ethical philosophy, it often relates to altruism and compassion.
C
Cause
A principle or agency that brings about an effect or influences another event or phenomenon. Cause-and-effect relations are essential to understanding scientific, philosophical, and moral discussions.
Consciousness
The state of being aware of and able to think about one's own existence, sensations, thoughts, and surroundings. Consciousness is a central issue in philosophy of mind.
E
Epistemology
The branch of philosophy concerned with the nature, scope, and limits of knowledge. It addresses questions about belief, truth, and justification.
Existentialism
A philosophical movement emphasizing individual existence, freedom, and choice. It asserts that individuals are responsible for imbuing their own lives with meaning.
L
Law
A universal, consistent rule that governs phenomena or behaviors, often expressed through scientific or moral principles. Philosophical discussions of law include natural law, legal positivism, and social contract theories.
Logic
The study of valid reasoning, focusing on principles of deduction, inference, and argument structure. Logic is foundational to philosophy and mathematics.
M
Metaphysics
The branch of philosophy that explores the fundamental nature of reality, including concepts such as being, existence, time, space, causality, and possibility.
Morality
Principles concerning the distinction between right and wrong or good and bad behavior. Morality often intersects with ethics, exploring rules and conduct for individuals and societies.
P
Phenomenology
A philosophical approach that studies conscious experience from the first-person perspective, focusing on the structures of experience and consciousness.
Pragmatism
A philosophical tradition that assesses the truth and meaning of ideas based on their practical effects and applicability.
R
Rationalism
The theory that reason is the primary source of knowledge, as opposed to experience or sensory data. Rationalism is a major epistemological approach alongside empiricism.
Realism
The belief that objects exist independently of perception or consciousness. Realism debates often arise in metaphysics, epistemology, and philosophy of science.
T
Teleology
The philosophical study of purpose or design in natural phenomena. It explores whether there is a purpose behind actions, objects, or events, often contrasting with mechanistic explanations.
Truth
The property of being in accord with fact or reality. In philosophy, various theories of truth—such as correspondence, coherence, and pragmatic theories—attempt to define and explore this concept.
Z
Zeitgeist
A German term meaning "spirit of the age," referring to the cultural, intellectual, or moral climate of a particular period or era. It is often used to understand historical movements and philosophies.