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philosopher

philosopher

39 6.3
A calm thoughtful person who lives by reason
  • noun
  • /fəˈlɑːsəfər/
translation icon : sabio
  • He was also very influenced by a philosopher called Thomas Malthus.
  • a great philosopher

He says the dogs are the true philosophers because they know friend from foe.

Examples

  • In different times and places, different ideals of the philosopher have gained ascendency.

    Academic text (2011)
  • You are a philosopher, too.

  • We have a genuine philosopher in our midst.

  • And now let me leave you with some words from Thomas Kuhn, a philosopher of science.

  • The Japanese philosopher Musashi said that only a few appreciate the art of war.

  • Perhaps more than any other philosopher, Descartes requires you to use your imagination.

    Academic text (2017)
  • As a being constituted by a body and a soul, the philosopher remains "essentially an in-between being."

    Academic text (1999)
  • He is also a philosopher, scientist, political theorist.

  • He's a French philosopher who's at Stanford.

  • Socrates was a well-known philosopher who believed in the importance of asking questions.

Synonyms

thinker
vsphilosopher
142 3.8

A person who has deep ideas about important subjects

applies calm, lived reason to life beyond pure thinking
intellectual
vsphilosopher
94 6.0

A person who thinks deeply about ideas, art, or science

prioritizes calm, serene living guided by practical reason not academic study
wise man
vsphilosopher
66 4.2

A man respected for good judgment who gives advice to others

focuses more on calm, reasoned life than advisory respect
sage
vsphilosopher
39 6.8

A wise person respected for spiritual or life guidance

lives a calm life guided by reason rather than spiritual insight
reasoner
vsphilosopher
1 5.5

A person who thinks and argues in a clear, logical way

lives by balanced reason and emotional calm more than by logic alone
philosophizer
vsphilosopher
  • US
1 9.4

A person who thinks deeply about basic questions of life

is a steady life guided by reason rather than question-focused thinking
philosophiser
vsphilosopher
  • UK
8.5

A person who thinks about the deeper meaning of things

embodies calm, rational living not just intellectual reflection

Antonyms

fool
  • Offensive
1.4

A person who makes poor decisions and is easily tricked

Compounds

A wise ruler who leads with fairness and deep thought

A philosopher who studies personal freedom, responsibility, and life's meaning

A person who says people must make their own meaning in a world without given purpose

9.9

A person who talks about ideas but does not act

How Philosophical

sage
39 6.8
philosopher
39 6.3
thinker
142 3.8

Surface Forms

philosopher singular
philosophers plural

Etymology

Philosopher comes from the Greek parts philo- 'love' and sophia 'wisdom'. A helpful image is someone who 'loves wisdom', so they try to live calmly and think carefully about life. That's why philosopher can mean a wise, calm person who acts with reason.