philosophia perennis

noun

phil·​o·​so·​phia pe·​ren·​nis
ˌfiləˈsōfēəpəˈrenə̇s
sometimes capitalized both P's
: a group of universal philosophical problems, principles, and ideas (as concepts of God, freedom, and immortality) that perennially constitutes the primary subject matter of philosophical thought : the foundations of Roman Catholic Christian principles especially as philosophically formulated by St. Thomas Aquinas and Neothomists
some Philosophia Perennis which would be agreed on in advance as a sort of intellectual base of operationsH. D. Aiken

Word History

Etymology

New Latin, literally, perennial philosophy

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Cite this Entry

“Philosophia perennis.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/philosophia%20perennis. Accessed 29 Nov. 2024.

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