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I Think, Therefore I Am!

Advanced Vocabulary for TOEFL / I Think, Therefore I Am!

I Think, Therefore I Am!

33 Words

17m

1
ethics
e
thics
Noun

a set of moral principles that govern a person's or group's behavior and decision-making

The committee was formed to address issues related to medical ethics in research.

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2
e
pis
te
mo
lo
gy
Noun

the branch of philosophy that studies the nature, sources, and limits of knowledge

Epistemology asks how we can know anything with certainty.

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3
humanism
hu
ma
ni
sm
Noun

a system of thought based on human values and nature in which solving human problems is considered more important than religious beliefs

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4
metaphysics
me
ta
phy
sics
Noun

a branch of philosophy that deals with abstract concepts such as existence or reality

The concept of the soul is often explored within the realm of metaphysics.

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5
on
to
lo
gy
Noun

the branch of philosophy that is concerned with concepts such as existence, being, and reality

Ontology explores questions about what exists, how entities relate to one another, and the fundamental nature of reality.

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6
determinism
de
ter
mi
ni
sm
Noun

the theory or doctrine that all events and occurrences are completely determined by previously existing causes, therefore human beings cannot be punished or held accountable for their deeds

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7
hedonism
he
do
ni
sm
Noun

an ethical doctrine holding that the pursuit of pleasure is the highest good and proper aim of life

Ancient Greek philosophers such as Epicurus developed theories of hedonism.

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8
idealism
i
dea
li
sm
Noun

the belief in or pursuit of high principles, values, or ideals, often with a focus on the potential for perfection or improvement

His idealism led him to work for social change in his community.

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9
empiricism
em
pi
ri
ci
sm
Noun

(in philosophy) the doctrine that knowledge is derived from sensory experience rather than theory or intuition

John Locke is a central figure in philosophical empiricism.

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10
existentialism
e
xis
ten
tia
li
sm
Noun

a philosophical theory according to which the world has no meaning and humans are free and responsible for their actions

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11
materialism
ma
te
ria
li
sm
Noun

the philosophical belief that the spiritual world does not exist and the only thing that exists is physical matter

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12
nihilism
nihi
lism
Noun

the rejection or denial of all established authority, values, and institutions

Political nihilism often manifests as distrust of governments.

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13
po
si
ti
vi
sm
Noun

a philosophical system based on things that can be proved by logic or experienced with the senses, rejecting metaphysics and theism

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14
pragmatism
prag
ma
ti
sm
Noun

a philosophical movement that emerged in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, emphasizing the practical consequences and real-world effectiveness of beliefs, theories, and actions

Philosophical pragmatism, as advocated by thinkers like William James, emphasizes the practical consequences of ideas and beliefs rather than their abstract or theoretical foundations.

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15
rationalism
ra
tio
na
li
sm
Noun

the belief or principle that ideas and actions should be based on logic instead of religion or emotion

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16
scho
las
ti
ci
sm
Noun

orthodoxy of a scholastic variety

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17
skepticism
skep
ti
ci
sm
Noun

a doubting or questioning attitude towards ideas, beliefs, or claims that are generally accepted

Her skepticism about the new diet fad led her to research its effectiveness before trying it.

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18
stoicism
stoi
ci
sm
Noun

an ancient Greek philosophy that values virtue and encourages living in harmony with nature's divine Reason

Stoicism philosophy teaches that major life changes and loss, while painful, need not shatter one's inner strength and tranquility if one submits to fate.

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19
sub
jec
ti
vi
sm
Noun

a notion in philosophy according to which knowledge, moral values, and ethical obligations are subjective and there is no external or objective truth

Subjectivism asserts that truth and morality are relative to individual perspectives, rejecting the existence of universal or objective standards.

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20
utilitarianism
u
ti
li
ta
ria
ni
sm
Noun

the doctrine that the best measure or decision is the one that satisfies the majority of people

Utilitarianism holds that the morality of an action is determined by its consequences, with the greatest good for the greatest number being the guiding principle.

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21
phenomenology
phe
no
me
no
lo
gy
Noun

the branch of philosophy concerned with things that exist and can be seen, felt, etc. as opposed to what may actually be their real existence

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22
alienation
a
lie
na
tion
Noun

‌the feeling that one is different from others and therefore not part of a particular group

The constant moving left her with a deep sense of alienation from her peers.

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23
a priori
a priori
Adjective

using the previous knowledge, reasoning, or general facts to decide the likely result of something

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24
a posteriori
Adjective

using observation or experience to determine the probable cause of something

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25
be
be
Verb

used when naming, or giving description or information about people, things, or situations

Today is her birthday.

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26
no
thing
ness
Noun

empty rhetoric or insincere or exaggerated talk

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27
consciousness
cons
cious
ness
Noun

the state or quality of being awake and capable of perception, thought, and response

She regained consciousness in the hospital after the accident.

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28
dogma
dog
ma
Noun

a notion or system of notions that one has to accept without questioning or arguing

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29
logic
lo
gic
Noun

a field of study that deals with the ways of thinking, explaining, and reasoning

Many universities offer courses in logic, teaching students how to construct and deconstruct arguments effectively.

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30
vir
tue
Noun

a positive moral quality or admirable trait in a person

Patience is often seen as a great virtue.

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31
aesthetics
aes
the
tics
Noun

the branch of philosophy which deals with the nature of beauty and art

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32
wisdom
wis
dom
Noun

the quality of being knowledgeable, experienced, and able to make good decisions and judgments

The wisdom of the elderly woman was evident in the way she calmly solved problems that others found overwhelming.

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33
sophist
so
phist
Noun

someone that is skilled in devious argumentation

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