Abstract Concepts
Ideas, values and the vocabulary for talking about them.
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76 words
Definitions in: English- 1epistemologynounformaltechnical
The branch of philosophy concerned with the nature, sources, and limits of knowledge.
Her thesis tackles a thorny question in epistemology: how can we ever know that we know anything?
- 2ontologynounformaltechnical
The philosophical study of being, existence, and the categories of what there is.
Whether numbers actually exist is a classic problem of ontology.
- 3dialecticnounformaltechnical
A method of reasoning that advances through the tension and resolution of opposing ideas.
History, in his view, unfolds through a dialectic of progress and reaction.
- 4syllogismnounformaltechnical
A formal logical argument in which a conclusion is drawn from two premises.
All men are mortal, Socrates is a man, therefore Socrates is mortal — the textbook syllogism.
- 5axiomnounformaltechnical
A statement accepted as self-evidently true and used as a starting point for reasoning.
She treats kindness not as a strategy but as an axiom of how to live.
- 6tautologynounformaltechnical
A statement that is true by its own definition, or a needless repetition of the same idea.
Saying 'it is what it is' is a comforting tautology that explains nothing.
- 7sophistrynounformalpejorative
Clever but deliberately deceptive reasoning intended to mislead rather than enlighten.
Strip away the sophistry and his argument amounts to 'because I say so'.
- 8solipsismnounformaltechnical
The philosophical view that only one's own mind is certain to exist; by extension, extreme self-absorption.
Taken to its logical end, his skepticism slides into total solipsism.
- 9relativismnounformaltechnical
The doctrine that truth, knowledge, or morality exist only in relation to context and have no absolute standard.
Moral relativism makes it hard to condemn anything as simply wrong.
- 10nihilismnounformal
The rejection of inherent meaning, value, or moral truth in life.
There's a streak of nihilism in his work, a sense that nothing finally matters.
- 11empiricismnounformaltechnical
The theory that knowledge derives primarily from sensory experience and observation.
Modern science grew out of an empiricism that trusted observation over received authority.
- 12dogmanounformal
A principle or set of beliefs laid down as incontrovertibly true, often resistant to question.
He challenged the reigning economic dogma that markets always know best.
- 13doctrinenounformal
A formally stated body of teachings or principles held by a group, church, or school of thought.
The ruling rests on a long-standing legal doctrine about reasonable doubt.
- 14tenetnounformal
A core principle or belief held by a person or group as part of a wider system of thought.
A central tenet of the movement is that no one is free until everyone is.
- 15postulatenounformaltechnical
Something assumed without proof as a basis for reasoning or argument.
His entire ethics rests on a single postulate: that all persons are equal in dignity.
- 16corollarynounformaltechnical
A proposition or consequence that follows naturally from something already proved or accepted.
Greater freedom carries an unavoidable corollary: greater responsibility.
- 17synthesisnounformal
The combination of separate ideas or elements into a coherent, unified whole.
Her book is a remarkable synthesis of philosophy, history, and personal memoir.
- 18fortitudenounformalliterary
Courage and strength of mind in enduring pain, hardship, or adversity over time.
She bore the long illness with a quiet fortitude that humbled everyone around her.
- 19prudencenounformal
The quality of acting with careful good judgment and foresight, avoiding needless risk.
Financial prudence kept the company solvent when its rivals collapsed.
- 20temperancenounformalliterary
Moderation and self-restraint, especially in appetite, indulgence, or emotion.
The ancients prized temperance as the virtue that governs all the others.
- 21magnanimitynounformalliterary
Generosity and largeness of spirit, especially toward a rival or someone in one's power.
He showed remarkable magnanimity in praising the man who had beaten him.
- 22equanimitynounformalliterary
Mental calmness and composure, especially in difficult or stressful situations.
She received the bad news with surprising equanimity.
- 23probitynounformalliterary
Complete moral integrity and uprightness, especially in matters of trust or money.
His financial probity was never once in question.
- 24rectitudenounformalliterary
Morally correct behavior; rigid adherence to principles of right conduct.
There was an almost severe rectitude about the old judge.
- 25candornounformal
Frankness and honesty in expression; openness even when the truth is uncomfortable.
I appreciated her candor; most people would have softened the criticism.
- 26stoicismnounneutral
The endurance of hardship or pain without complaint or visible emotion.
He faced the diagnosis with a stoicism that worried his family more than panic would have.
- 27gravitasnounformal
Dignity, seriousness, and weight of character that commands respect.
She brought a gravitas to the role that her predecessor had lacked.
- 28sagacitynounformalliterary
Keenness of judgment and practical wisdom, especially in foreseeing outcomes.
The deal succeeded thanks to her political sagacity.
- 29perspicacitynounformalliterary
Sharpness of insight; the ability to perceive and understand things keenly.
Her perspicacity let her see through the excuse at once.
- 30acumennounformal
Quick, keen judgment and skill in a particular domain, especially business or strategy.
Her business acumen turned a failing shop into a chain within five years.
- 31discernmentnounformal
The ability to judge well and perceive fine distinctions, especially of quality or character.
It takes discernment to tell genuine talent from mere confidence.
- 32circumspectionnounformal
Cautious watchfulness; careful consideration of all circumstances before acting.
He handled the negotiations with the circumspection of a man who had been burned before.
- 33forbearancenounformalliterary
Patient self-control and restraint, especially in withholding a deserved response.
I thank you for your forbearance during these long delays.
- 34tenacitynounneutral
Persistent determination; the quality of holding firmly to a purpose or course.
Her sheer tenacity carried the project through when funding dried up.
- 35altruismnounformal
Selfless concern for the well-being of others, sometimes at one's own expense.
Cynics insist that pure altruism doesn't exist.
- 36benevolencenounformalliterary
The disposition to do good; kindly goodwill toward others.
The foundation was built on the benevolence of a single anonymous donor.
- 37fidelitynounformalliterary
Faithfulness and loyalty to a person, cause, or principle; also exactness of reproduction.
His lifelong fidelity to his principles cost him every promotion.
- 38serendipitynounneutralliterary
The occurrence of fortunate discoveries or events entirely by chance.
Their meeting was pure serendipity — a missed train and a shared umbrella.
- 39futilitynounformalliterary
Pointlessness; the quality of being incapable of producing any useful result.
After the tenth rejection, the sheer futility of it all began to wear on her.
- 40transiencenounformalliterary
The quality of lasting only a short time; impermanence.
There is a beauty in the transience of cherry blossom.
- 41inevitabilitynounformal
The quality of being certain to happen and impossible to avoid.
Looking back, the collapse has an air of inevitability, though no one saw it coming.
- 42proprietynounformal
Conformity to accepted standards of correct or proper behavior.
He questioned the propriety of accepting a gift from a supplier.
- 43decorumnounformal
Behavior that is in keeping with good taste and the dignity of an occasion.
The hecklers shattered the decorum of the ceremony.
- 44zeitgeistnounformal
The defining spirit, mood, or set of ideas characteristic of a particular period.
The film somehow captured the anxious zeitgeist of the decade.
- 45verisimilitudenounformalliterary
The appearance of being true or real, especially in fiction or representation.
The novel's verisimilitude comes from its unglamorous, exact detail.
- 46predilectionnounformal
An established preference or special liking for something.
She has a marked predilection for the difficult and the obscure.
- 47penchantnounneutral
A strong and habitual liking or inclination for something.
He has a penchant for dramatic exits.
- 48aptitudenounneutral
A natural ability or talent for acquiring a particular skill.
She showed an early aptitude for languages.
- 49prowessnounformalliterary
Outstanding skill, ability, or expertise in a particular field or activity.
His intellectual prowess was obvious, but he wore it lightly.
- 50finessenounneutral
Refined skill and subtlety in handling a difficult or delicate situation.
She handled the awkward question with real finesse.
- 51introspectionnounformal
The examination of one's own thoughts, feelings, and motives.
A little honest introspection might tell him why he keeps failing.
- 52deliberationnounformal
Careful, often lengthy, consideration before reaching a decision.
After much deliberation, the jury returned a verdict.
- 53speculationnounneutral
The forming of theories or conjectures without firm evidence.
Until the report is published, the rest is pure speculation.
- 54suppositionnounformal
Something assumed to be true as the basis for reasoning, without proof.
The whole plan rests on the supposition that prices will keep rising.
- 55extrapolationnounformaltechnical
The extension of known information or trends to estimate the unknown.
The forecast is just an extrapolation of the last decade's growth.
- 56quandarynounneutral
A state of perplexity or uncertainty over what to do in a difficult situation.
I'm in a real quandary about whether to take the job abroad.
- 57conundrumnounneutral
A confusing and difficult problem or question with no easy answer.
How to be fair to everyone at once is the eternal conundrum of management.
- 58enigmanounneutralliterary
Something or someone mysterious, puzzling, and hard to understand.
Even to his closest friends, he remained an enigma.
- 59anomalynounformaltechnical
Something that deviates from what is standard, expected, or normal.
The reading was an anomaly, so they ran the test again.
- 60aberrationnounformal
A temporary departure from what is normal, expected, or morally acceptable.
He insisted the outburst was an aberration, not his true character.
- 61vicissitudenounformalliterary
A change of circumstances or fortune, typically one that is unwelcome (usually plural).
He weathered the vicissitudes of public life without losing his humor.
- 62caveatnounformal
A warning or qualifying condition attached to a statement or agreement.
I'll recommend it, with one caveat: it's not cheap.
- 63predicamentnounneutral
A difficult, unpleasant, or embarrassing situation that is hard to escape.
Lending him money would only deepen his predicament.
- 64hubrisnounformalliterary
Excessive pride or self-confidence, often leading to one's downfall.
It was sheer hubris to think he could outsmart the entire market.
- 65veracitynounformal
Conformity to truth or fact; habitual truthfulness.
No one doubted the veracity of her account.
- 66mettlenounformalliterary
A person's spirit, courage, and capacity to cope under pressure or hardship.
The crisis really tested the new manager's mettle.
- 67temeritynounformalliterary
Excessive boldness or recklessness; nerve that disregards risk or propriety.
He had the temerity to correct the professor in front of the whole class.
- 68cognizancenounformal
Awareness, knowledge, or notice of something, often used in formal or legal contexts.
The board took cognizance of the complaints and opened an inquiry.
- 69scruplenounformal
A moral hesitation or qualm that makes one reluctant to do something felt to be wrong.
He had no scruples about reading other people's letters.
- 70metaphysicsnounformaltechnical
The branch of philosophy dealing with first principles, such as being, time, cause, and identity.
Once you start asking why there is something rather than nothing, you've wandered into metaphysics.
- 71determinismnounformaltechnical
The philosophical position that every event is the inevitable result of preceding causes.
If you accept strict determinism, it's hard to see where free will fits in.
- 72antithesisnounformal
The exact opposite of something, or a contrast set deliberately against a thesis.
Quiet patience is the very antithesis of his restless temperament.
- 73providencenounformalliterary
Protective care attributed to fate, nature, or a higher power; also timely foresight.
She survived by luck, or what she called providence.
- 74proclivitynounformal
A natural or habitual inclination toward a particular behavior, often a questionable one.
He has a proclivity for picking fights he can't win.
- 75candournounformalBritish English
British English spelling of the noun meaning open, unguarded honesty in speech (frankness).
I appreciated the candour with which she admitted her own mistakes.
I appreciated the frankness with which she admitted her own mistakes.
- 76cognisancenounformalBritish English
British English spelling of the noun meaning conscious awareness or formal notice of something.
The committee took full cognisance of the objections before ruling.
The committee took full account of the objections before ruling.
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The hardest things to say are often the least concrete, and this pack gives you the words for them. Learn the intellectual vocabulary behind philosophy and argument – truth, justice, freedom, purpose – and the language you need to reason out loud. Aimed high, it equips you to debate ideas, build a nuanced case and put precise thought into precise words.