dialectic

Noun

  1. any formal system of reasoning that arrives at the truth by the exchange of logical arguments
  2. a contradiction of ideas that serves as the determining factor in their interaction; “this situation created the inner dialectic of American history”

Adjective

  1. of or relating to or employing dialectic; “the dialectical method”

  1. Philosophy the art of investigating or discussing the truth of opinions.

  2. Philosophy inquiry into metaphysical contradictions and their solutions.

Note: The ancient Greeks used the term dialectic to refer to various methods of reasoning and discussion in order to discover the truth. More recently, Kant applied the term to the criticism of the contradictions that arise from supposing knowledge of objects beyond the limits of experience, e.g., the soul. Hegel applied the term to the process of thought by which apparent contradictions (which he termed thesis and antithesis) are seen to be part of a higher truth (synthesis)

Politics the existence or action of opposing social forces, concepts, etc.

Adjective

  1. relating to dialectic or dialectics; dialectical.

Origin

late Middle English: from Old French dialectique or Latin dialectica, from Greek dialektikē (tekhnē) ‘(art) of debate’, from dialegesthai ‘converse with’ (see dialogue)

Thesaurus

Noun

  1. feminism has contributed a good deal to this dialectic

Similar Words: reasoning argumentation contention logic discussion debate dialogue logical argument ratiocination

Adjective

  1. Japanese negotiation is different from the Western dialectic habit

Similar Words: rational rationalistic logical analytical disputatious dialectical argumentative contentious