a philosophical basis

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a philosophical basis" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing the foundational principles or theories that underpin a particular philosophy or argument. Example: "The study presents a philosophical basis for understanding the nature of consciousness and its implications for artificial intelligence."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

12 human-written examples

Masini points out that the grounding of Futures Studies, or foresighting has become linked to a philosophical basis and philosophic principles to guide the making of choices, but this view is not adequate [17].

European Journal of Futures Research

He was par excellence a jurist, displaying a philosophical basis to his judgments and extra-judicial writings.

The Guardian

There was a philosophical basis to it all, founded in the work of John Cage, who had declared that there was "no room for the policeman in art".

The New York Times - Arts

His work provides a rich analysis and interpretation of the religious dimensions of human experience and thus is a philosophical basis for the study of religious experience.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Though the beginnings of Mahayana are to be found in the Mahasangikas and many of their early sects, Nagarjuna gave it a philosophical basis.

Encyclopedia Britannica

JB: You agree there has to be a philosophical basis and say this is a form of utilitarianism, but it's not straightforwardly the case that what people want to maximise above all else is happiness.

The Guardian - Opinion

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

48 human-written examples

In Arnauld's direct attack on TNG, he says again and again that Malebranche relies on principles that have neither a proper theological basis in Scripture and tradition, nor a proper philosophical basis in reason.

SEP

Responses to 'The Freedom of an Armed Society' by Firmin DeBrabander Good luck trying to address the subject of gun restrictions from a logical, philosophical basis.

The New York Times

The differentiation of biological and normative orders, despite a solid philosophical basis within the framework of biogenetic regulations, does not seem the best way to proceed.

Life Sciences, Society and Policy

"Ultimately when you look at this on a more philosophical basis, I think the Welsh model of rugby is more suited and closer to the Irish model and the New Zealand model," said Jones.

BBC

He therefore has provided, according to his own lights, a rational, philosophical, basis for the necessary existence of the Spirit of Nature, and by extension of spirit, or incorporeal substance more generally.

SEP

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a philosophical basis" to introduce or explain the fundamental reasons behind a theory, argument, or practice.

Common error

Avoid using "a philosophical basis" without specifying which philosophical tradition or specific principles are being applied. Providing concrete details will strengthen the argument.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a philosophical basis" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as a subject complement or an object of a preposition. It identifies the underlying philosophical principles or foundations upon which a theory, argument, or system is built. Ludwig confirms its proper usage.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

40%

News & Media

20%

Encyclopedias

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Reference

5%

Social Media

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a philosophical basis" is a noun phrase used to describe the underlying philosophical principles or foundations of an idea or system. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage across various reputable sources, including scientific journals, news articles, and encyclopedias. While not extremely common, it plays a crucial role in academic and intellectual discourse. When using this phrase, ensure clarity by specifying the particular philosophical tradition to avoid overgeneralization. Alternatives such as ""a theoretical foundation"" or ""a conceptual framework"" can be used depending on the context to give a more specific meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a theoretical foundation

Emphasizes the theoretical aspect of the basis, highlighting a structured set of principles.

a conceptual framework

Focuses on the structure of ideas and concepts that support a particular viewpoint.

a rationale

Highlights the logical reasons and justifications behind a belief or action.

a philosophical underpinning

Similar to the original phrase, but emphasizes the supporting role of the philosophy.

a reasoned argument

Focuses on the logical progression of thought that establishes the basis.

a theoretical justification

Highlights the use of theory to defend or support a particular position.

a principled approach

Emphasizes adherence to specific principles as the basis for action or thought.

a logical foundation

Stresses the importance of logical reasoning as the underpinning.

a worldview

Refers to a comprehensive perspective or set of beliefs about the world that informs one's understanding.

an intellectual framework

Focuses on the broader intellectual context providing the basis for understanding.

FAQs

How can I use "a philosophical basis" in a sentence?

Use "a philosophical basis" to explain the core philosophical principles that underpin a concept or argument. For example: "Existentialism provides "an adequate philosophical basis" for understanding individual freedom."

What are some alternatives to "a philosophical basis"?

You can use alternatives like "a theoretical foundation", "a conceptual framework", or "a rationale" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "the philosophical basis" instead of "a philosophical basis"?

Both phrases are grammatically correct, but "a philosophical basis" is used when referring to one among potentially many, while "the philosophical basis" implies a specific or already identified basis.

What is the difference between "a philosophical basis" and "a theoretical framework"?

"A philosophical basis" refers specifically to the underlying philosophical principles, while "a theoretical framework" encompasses broader theoretical concepts and models. The former is often a subset of the latter.