Definition of: philosophy

(fi·los′ə·fē) noun plural ·phies
1. The love of wisdom as leading to the search for it; hence, knowledge of general principles
—elements, powers, or causes and laws
—as explaining facts and existences.
2. The general laws that furnish the rational explanation of anything: the philosophy of banking.
3. The calm judgment and equable temper resulting from study of causes and laws; practical wisdom; fortitude, as in enduring reverses and suffering.
4. Reasoned science; a scientific system; as (formerly), natural philosophy, now natural science.
5. A philosophical system or treatise.
6. The sciences as formerly studied in the universities. [<OF filosofie, philosophie <L philosophia <Gk. <philosophos. See PHILOSOPHER.]