Wise figure picking up some philosophical work (3)
I believe the answer is:
owl
'wise figure' is the definition.
(I've seen this before)
'picking up some philosophical work' is the wordplay.
'picking up' says the letters should be written in reverse (in a down clue, letters go up).
'some' indicates the answer is hidden within the clue (some parts of the word are used).
'lwo' is hidden within 'philosophical work'.
'lwo' written backwards gives 'OWL'.
(Other definitions for owl that I've seen before include "Harry Potter's Hedwig, for instance" , "Someone solemn or wise or staying up at night" , "Bird of prey with front-facing eyes" , "Nocturnal hunter" , "Pussy-cat's wooer (Lear)" .)