dialectic

[ dahy-uh-lek-tik ]

adjective

1. of, relating to, or of the nature of logical argumentation.
2. dialectal.

noun

1. the art or practice of logical discussion as employed in investigating the truth of a theory or opinion.
2. logical argumentation.
3. Often dialectics.
   1. logic or any of its branches.
   2. any formal system of reasoning or thought.
4. Hegelian dialectic.
5. dialectics, (often used with a singular verb) the arguments or bases of dialectical materialism, including the elevation of matter over mind and a constantly changing reality with a material basis.
6. (in Kantian epistemology) a fallacious metaphysical system arising from the attribution of objective reality to the perceptions by the mind of external objects. Compare transcendental dialectic.
7. the juxtaposition or interaction of conflicting ideas, forces, etc.

dialectic

/ ˌdaɪəˈlɛktɪk /

noun

1. disputation or debate, esp intended to resolve differences between two views rather than to establish one of them as true
2. philosophy
   1. the conversational Socratic method of argument
   2. (in Plato) the highest study, that of the Forms
3. (in the writings of Kant) the exposure of the contradictions implicit in applying empirical concepts beyond the limits of experience
4. philosophy the process of reconciliation of contradiction either of beliefs or in historical processes See also Hegelian dialectic dialectical materialism

adjective

1. of or relating to logical disputation

Derived Forms

• ˌdialecˈtician, noun

Other Words From

• dia·lecti·cal·ly adverb
• nondi·a·lectic adjective noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of dialectic¹

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English (from Anglo-French ), from Latin dialectica, from Greek dialektikḗ (téchnē) “argumentative (art),” feminine of dialektikós; dialect, -ic

Word History and Origins

Origin of dialectic¹

C17: from Latin dialectica, from Greek dialektikē ( tekhnē ) (the art) of argument; see dialect

Example Sentences

This matter is, in the Indian dialectic of beauty, nonnegotiable.

From The Daily Beast

His (mis)reading of the Megilla power dialectic meant tragedy for all.

From The Daily Beast

He had five-year plans and seven-year plans by the bushel-full, and he never lost faith in the dialectic.

From The Daily Beast

Islam is 1,400 years old; fascism entered the dialectic only with Benito Mussolini.

From The Daily Beast

They are the yin and the yang of the whole film and they dance the dialectic to perfection.

From The Daily Beast

One other illustration of this keen childish dialectic when face to face with the accuser deserves to be touched on.

From Project Gutenberg

As in the later days of Greece, rhetoric and dialectic are the most powerful of the arts.

From Project Gutenberg

In the Anglican doctorPage 119 it employs the dialectic and metaphysics of Aristotle.

From Project Gutenberg

The latter is a composition of the literary German with dialectic forms, and his rhythms are halting, his ideas one-sided.

From Project Gutenberg

He wrote extensively not only on medicine, but on philosophy, his writings taking throughout a more or less dialectic character.

From Project Gutenberg