philosophical question

[/ˌfɪləˈsɑːfɪkəl ˈkwɛʃtʃən/]
nounfemininepl: philosophical questions / questões filosóficas
questão filosófica
1. A question that inquires into the fundamental nature of reality, knowledge, existence, ethics, or meaning; a question that requires deep reflection and reasoning beyond superficial answers
Whether humans have free will is a philosophical question that has been debated for centuries.
Se os seres humanos possuem livre arbítrio é uma questão filosófica que vem sendo debatida há séculos.
2. A query that challenges assumptions or conventional wisdom and seeks to understand deeper truths or principles
The teacher posed a philosophical question to encourage critical thinking among the students.
O professor colocou uma questão filosófica para encorajar o pensamento crítico entre os alunos.
3. An inquiry that may not have a definitive answer but is valuable for exploring complex ideas and perspectives
What constitutes a good life? is one of the most enduring philosophical questions in Western thought.
O que constitui uma boa vida? é uma das questões filosóficas mais duradouras do pensamento ocidental.
Philosophical questions are highly valued in both Brazilian and American intellectual traditions, particularly in academic settings. In Brazil, there is a strong tradition of philosophical debate in universities and cultural institutions. In the USA, Socratic questioning and philosophical inquiry are considered essential to critical thinking and liberal arts education. Both cultures view engaging with philosophical questions as a sign of intellectual maturity and depth.
Synonyms / Sinônimos
inquiry into fundamental principlesmetaphysical questionexistential questionquestion of principle
Antonyms / Antônimos
trivial questionsuperficial questionfactual question

Regional Variations

General Brazilian Portuguese
questão filosófica
Standard term used in academic and intellectual contexts
Rio de Janeiro
questão filosófica
Same usage as general Brazilian, common in universities and cultural discussions
São Paulo
questão filosófica
Predominant in intellectual and academic circles; widely used in educational settings
Portugal
questão filosófica
Identical usage; sometimes expanded as 'pergunta filosófica' in informal contexts

Related Words

philosophymetaphysicsepistemologyontologyethicscritical thinkingdebatereflection

Related Idioms & Phrases

to raise a philosophical question
to pose a philosophical question
a matter of philosophical inquiry
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