Philosopher
/fɪˈlɒsəfər/
Definitions
An individual who studies or writes about philosophy. Typically, this involves the critical examination of fundamental concepts, such as existence, knowledge, values, reason, mind, and language.
/fɪˈlɒsəfər/
A person engaged or learned in philosophy, especially as an academic discipline.
Socrates was a famous Greek philosopher who questioned everything.
💡 Simply: A philosopher is like a super-smart person who spends their time thinking really hard about big ideas, like what's real, how we should live, and why things are the way they are. They're always asking 'why?'
👶 For kids: A philosopher is someone who loves to think and talk about big questions like 'What is right?' and 'What is the meaning of life?'
More Examples
She considered herself a philosopher, constantly analyzing the world around her.
Many great philosophers have contemplated the nature of truth.
How It's Used
"The university employed several prominent philosophers to teach its philosophy courses."
"The book featured interviews with various philosophers discussing the nature of existence."
Idioms & expressions
Age of Philosophers
A period of time, particularly in ancient Greece and the Enlightenment, where philosophy flourished, and philosophers significantly influenced society and thought.
"During the Age of Philosophers, intellectuals challenged traditional beliefs and promoted reason."
Philosopher's Stone
A legendary substance believed by alchemists to be capable of turning base metals into gold, or of granting immortality.
"The quest for the Philosopher's Stone consumed many alchemists for centuries."
From Middle English philosofre, from Old French philosophe, from Latin philosophus, from Ancient Greek φιλόσοφος (philósophos, “lover of wisdom”), from φίλος (philos, “loving”) + σοφός (sophos, “wise”).
The term 'philosopher' has been used since ancient Greece, with figures like Socrates, Plato, and Aristotle being considered some of the first philosophers. Their ideas shaped Western thought for centuries.
Memory tip
Think of someone deeply pondering life's big questions.