Analysis - a separating or breaking up of any whole into its parts, esp. with an examination of these parts to find out their nature, proportion, function, interrelationship, etc.

Atomism - the branch that proposes that everything in nature is made up of individual particles called atoms, Newton.

Belief - a state or habit of mind in which trust or confidence is placed in some person or thing conviction of the truth of some statement or the reality of some being or phenomenon when based on examination of evidence.

Deism - religious movement about 1688-1790; advocated natural religion based on reason rather than revelation; believed God was apart from human affairs; followers included B. Franklin, T. Jefferson, J.J. Rousseau, and Voltaire.

Dogma - an established set of principles set forth by a church or religion.

Dualism - describes that the universe is basically composed of two elements, matter and mind.

Empiricism - knowledge is derived from analytical observations of verified and calculated processes which are consistent with the laws of the universe.

Epicureanism - the branch of philosophy taught that the supreme good in human life is happiness or pleasure.

Epistemology - the branch of philosophy that establishes the methods that evaluate the sources, nature, and limits of human knowledge and beliefs.

Etymology - the study of historical changes in the meaning of linguistics, especially individual words.

Existentialism - philosophical movement or tendency, emphasizing individual existence, freedom, and choice. Based on the writings of Soren Kierkegaard

Evidence - something that furnishes an empirical proof.

Hedonism - the pursuit and enjoyment of pleasure is life's main goal.

Knowledge - familiarity with truths, facts, abilities, skills, methods and principles.

Logic - the study of the methods and principles used to distinguish correct from incorrect reasoning. The uses of logic include deducting information that is not known from information that is known. Portions of logic deal in definition of terminology, uses of language, interpretation of expression, including meaning of context and fallacy distinction.

Materialism - reality consists essentially of physical substances.

Mechanism - the processes of nature animate and inanimate are machine like; the functioning and behavior of biological organisms are mechanical.

Monism - the universe is composed of only one substance, whether matter or mind.

Naturalism - because objects in nature are regular and not haphazard, they are all subject to a scientific explanation.

Ontology - a particular theory that refers to a deductive way of understanding the knowledge of being and reality consisting of ultimate substance.

Phenomenology - the world's phenomena can be investigated and understood without having to form prior explanations of reality. By exploring examples, one can arrive at conclusions about underlying structures.

Philosophy - the rational investigation of the concepts and principles of knowledge, existence, and conduct.

Pluralism - the belief that the universe cannot be explained on the basis of one substance. It consists of two or more, such as matter and mind.

Positivism - the principles and methods of science should be used to guide individual behavior and to solve social problems.

Pragmatism - the meaning and truth of an idea are tested by practical consequences.

Proof - the cogency of evidence that compels acceptance by the mind of a truth or a fact.

Psychology - the study of interactive behavior.

Rationalism - truth and knowledge are gained by reason rather than by experience or perception.

Realism - material objects exist independently of any knowledge or perception of them.

Rhetoric - the skillful use of words to persuade or influence others.

Scholasticism - attempting to use natural human reason of science and philosophy to understand the supernatural content of Christian Doctrine. By the end of the 15th century it failed and Christians resorted to metaphysics, which is not physics at all.

Sociology - the science which studies the structure and functions of grouped behavior.

Sophists - a group of teachers of rhetoric and practical philosophy in ancient Greece (4th and 5th centuries BC), of whom the most famous was Protagoras.

Stoicism - through reason it is possible to view the world as rational. In regulating one's life, the individual learns to accept what happens with a tranquil mind, in everything, duty to society is performed.

Tautology - necessarily true by objectivity of its existence, with its denial resulting in contradiction.

Theory - a proposal of explanation or a process which is not yet been established as fully proven.