Definition, Meaning & Synonyms
philosophe
noun
/fiˈlɒsəf/
Definition
A philosopher; particularly one associated with the Enlightenment in France.
Examples
- Voltaire and Rousseau were prominent philosophes during the Enlightenment.
- The ideas of the philosophes helped shape modern democratic thought.
- Many philosophes advocated for education and the advancement of science.
Meaning
A philosophe is someone who engages in philosophy, using reason and critical thinking to explore fundamental questions about existence, knowledge, and ethics. In a historical context, it often refers to intellectuals in 18th-century France who championed scientific thought and questioned traditional social norms.
Synonyms
- thinker
- intellectual
- philosopher
