Philosophy

in general, is defined, the knowledge and study of nature and morality, founded on reason and experience. ” Philosophy owes its name to the modesty of Pythagoras, who refused the high title of σοφός, _wise_, given to his predecessors, Thales, Pherecydes, &c, as too assuming; and contented himself with the simple appellation of φιλόσοφος, _quasi_ φίλος τῆς σοφίας, _a friend_ or _lover of wisdom_: but Chauvin rather chooses to derive the name from φιλία, _desire to study_, and σοφία, _studium sapientiæ_;