philosophical
Calmly accepting fate
Philosophical relates to philosophy—the study of fundamental questions about existence, knowledge, ethics, and meaning.
A philosophical discussion examines ideas at their roots.
The word also describes a calm, detached attitude toward difficulty or misfortune: She was philosophical about losing the job, seeing it as an opportunity for change.
Someone philosophical tends to reflect deeply rather than react emotionally.
Philosophy stressing self-created meaning
- nihilismRejection of objective meaning
- stoicismUncomplaining acceptance of difficulty
- empiricismKnowledge through observation
- rationalismReason as knowledge source
idealism · realism · materialism · pragmatism · skepticism · dualism · monism · absurdism
Study of existence's nature
- phenomenologyStudy of subjective experience
- cosmologyStudy of universal structure
- teleologyStudy of purpose in nature
- essenceFundamental nature of something
being · substance · reality · existence · causality · universals · particulars · transcendence
Based on hypothesis, untested
- conceptualOf or relating to ideas
- speculativeBased on conjecture
- intangibleNot physically present
- ideationalRelating to forming concepts
notional · esoteric · abstruse · recondite · rarefied · intellectual · cerebral · academic
Casting back light
- meditativeInclined toward deep reflection
- pensiveQuietly, sadly thoughtful
- thoughtfulShowing careful consideration
- introspectiveExamining one's own mind
contemplation · pondering · musing · brooding · rumination · soul-searching · self-examination · cogitation
Science of valid reasoning
- reasonBasis or justification
- argumentationSystematic reasoning process
- syllogismFormal deductive argument structure
- deductionConclusion from premises
induction · dialectic · inference · validity · cogent · coherent · analytic · fallacy
Right and wrong principles
- virtueMoral goodness or merit
- justiceFair treatment under law
- dutyRequired moral task
- rightsJustified claims to freedoms
principles · goodness · autonomy · utilitarianism · deontology · consequentialism · normative · altruism
Unshakable mental steadiness
- composureEmotional self-control
- tranquilityUndisturbed peacefulness
- serenityUndisturbed mental quietude
- stoicUncomplaining endurer of hardship
unperturbed · detached · accepting · resigned · imperturbable · measured · dispassionate · levelheaded
In wise manner
- profoundIntensely meaningful or insightful
- enlightenedPossessing profound insight
- sapientHaving great discernment
- discerningHaving keen judgment
perspicacious · insightful · learned · erudite · sophia · gnosis · understanding · illumination
existentialism
Philosophy stressing self-created meaning
- nihilismRejection of objective meaning
- stoicismUncomplaining acceptance of difficulty
- empiricismKnowledge through observation
rationalism · idealism · realism · materialism · pragmatism · skepticism · dualism · monism · absurdism · determinism
ontology
Study of existence's nature
- phenomenologyStudy of subjective experience
- cosmologyStudy of universal structure
- teleologyStudy of purpose in nature
essence · being · substance · reality · existence · causality · universals · particulars · transcendence · immanence
theoretical
Based on hypothesis, untested
- conceptualOf or relating to ideas
- speculativeBased on conjecture
- intangibleNot physically present
ideational · notional · esoteric · abstruse · recondite · rarefied · intellectual · cerebral · academic · scholarly
reflective
Casting back light
- meditativeInclined toward deep reflection
- pensiveQuietly, sadly thoughtful
- thoughtfulShowing careful consideration
introspective · contemplation · pondering · musing · brooding · rumination · soul-searching · self-examination · cogitation · deliberation
logic
Science of valid reasoning
- reasonBasis or justification
- argumentationSystematic reasoning process
- syllogismFormal deductive argument structure
deduction · induction · dialectic · inference · validity · cogent · coherent · analytic · fallacy · reasoning
morality
Right and wrong principles
rights · principles · goodness · autonomy · utilitarianism · deontology · consequentialism · normative · altruism · integrity
equanimity
Unshakable mental steadiness
- composureEmotional self-control
- tranquilityUndisturbed peacefulness
- serenityUndisturbed mental quietude
stoic · unperturbed · detached · accepting · resigned · imperturbable · measured · dispassionate · levelheaded · sanguine
sagely
In wise manner
- profoundIntensely meaningful or insightful
- enlightenedPossessing profound insight
- sapientHaving great discernment
discerning · perspicacious · insightful · learned · erudite · sophia · gnosis · understanding · illumination · realization
buddha
Awakened spiritual master
- long wordssupercalifragilisticexpialidocious, antidisestablishmentarianism, incomprehensibilities, counterrevolutionary, electroencephalograph
- contemplativecontemplative, introspective, reflective, pensive, meditative
- thought-provokingstimulating, fascinating, intriguing, engaging, compelling
- German LiteratureGoethe, Mann, Kafka, Franz Kafka, Rilke
- academicscholarly, academic, intellectual, erudite, learned
- intellectintelligence, intellect, brainpower, mind, cognition
philosophicalemotional
Showing strong feelings
reactive · hotheaded · excitable · agitated · hysterical
philosophicalsuperficial
Lacking depth or substance
shallow · practical · pragmatic · unthinking · thoughtless
- philosophical debateFormal argument over concepts
- philosophical conceptsFundamental ideas in thought
- wax philosophicalSpeak thoughtfully at length
- philosophical discussionsReasoned inquiry through dialogue
- philosophical questionsInquiries about existence and meaning
- philosophical puzzleAbstract problem inviting reflection