哲 学(てつがく)

てつがく

noun

philosophy

academicbusinesseducation

1. philosophy

The academic study of fundamental questions about existence, knowledge, values, and reason.

大学(だいがく)で哲学(てつがく)を学(まな)んだ。

I studied philosophy at university.

西洋(せいよう)哲学(てつがく)と東洋(とうよう)哲学(てつがく)を比較(ひかく)する。

To compare Western and Eastern philosophy.

古代(こだい)ギリシャは哲学(てつがく)の発祥(はっしょう)の地(ち)だ。

Ancient Greece is the birthplace of philosophy.

2. philosophy, outlook, principles

A person's fundamental beliefs or guiding principles.

彼(かれ)は独自(どくじ)の哲学(てつがく)を持(も)っている。

He has his own philosophy.

自分(じぶん)なりの哲学(てつがく)を持(も)つことが大切(たいせつ)だ。

Having one's own philosophy in life is important.

その会社(かいしゃ)の経営(けいえい)哲学(てつがく)に共感(きょうかん)する。

I resonate with that company's business philosophy.

Compounds

哲学者(てつがくしゃ) (philosopher)
哲学的(てつがくてき) (philosophical)
人生(じんせい)哲学(てつがく) (philosophy of life)
経営(けいえい)哲学(てつがく) (business philosophy, management philosophy)
西洋(せいよう)哲学(てつがく) (Western philosophy)
東洋(とうよう)哲学(てつがく) (Eastern philosophy)

Usage

In everyday speech, 哲学(てつがく) often refers to one's personal principles or approach to life/work rather than the academic discipline.

Related Words

Compare: 理念(りねん) (principle)

Compare: 美学(びがく) (aesthetics)

Related: 倫理学(りんりがく) (ethics)

Related: 現象学(げんしょうがく) (phenomenology)

general

Added 2026.1.12 18:36 · Revised 2026.9.2 13:01

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