Difference between revisions of "Dialectic"
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==Definitions== | ==Definitions== | ||
| − | *1: logic | + | *1: [[logic]] |
| − | *2a : discussion and reasoning by dialogue as a method of intellectual investigation; specifically : the Socratic techniques of exposing false beliefs and eliciting truth | + | *2a : [[discussion]] and [[reasoning]] by [[dialogue]] as a [[method]] of [[intellectual]] [[investigation]]; specifically : the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Socratic_method Socratic techniques] of [[exposing]] [[false]] [[beliefs]] and eliciting [[truth]] |
| − | :b : the Platonic investigation of the eternal ideas | + | :b : the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Plato Platonic] [[investigation]] of the [[eternal]] [[ideas]] |
| − | *3: the logic of fallacy | + | *3: the [[logic]] of [[fallacy]] |
| − | *4a : the Hegelian process of change in which a concept or its realization passes over into and is preserved and fulfilled by its opposite; also : the critical investigation of this process | + | *4a : the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dialectic#Hegelian_dialectic Hegelian process] of [[change]] in which a [[concept]] or its [[realization]] passes over into and is preserved and fulfilled by its [[opposite]]; also : the [[critical]] [[investigation]] of this [[process]] |
| − | :b (1) usually plural but singular or plural in construction : development through the stages of thesis, antithesis, and synthesis in accordance with the laws of dialectical materialism (2) : the investigation of this process (3) : the theoretical application of this process especially in the social sciences | + | :b (1) usually plural but singular or plural in construction : development through the [[stages]] of [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thesis,_antithesis,_synthesis thesis], [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thesis,_antithesis,_synthesis antithesis], and [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thesis,_antithesis,_synthesis synthesis] in [[accordance]] with the [[laws]] of [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dialectical_materialism dialectical materialism] (2) : the [[investigation]] of this [[process]] (3) : the [[theoretical]] [[application]] of this [[process]] especially in the [[social sciences]] |
| − | *5: usually plural but singular or plural in construction a : any systematic reasoning, exposition, or argument that juxtaposes opposed or contradictory ideas and usually seeks to resolve their conflict b : an intellectual exchange of ideas | + | *5: usually plural but singular or plural in construction a : any [[systematic]] [[reasoning]], exposition, or [[argument]] that [[juxtaposes]] [[opposed]] or [[contradictory]] [[ideas]] and usually seeks to resolve their [[conflict]] |
| − | *6: the dialectical tension or opposition between two interacting forces or elements | + | :b : an [[intellectual]] [[exchange]] of [[ideas]] |
| + | *6: the dialectical [[tension]] or [[opposition]] between two [[interacting]] [[forces]] or elements | ||
| + | |||
==Description== | ==Description== | ||
'''Dialectic''' (also dialectics and the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dialectic#Principles ''dialectical method'']) is a [[method]] of [[argument]] for resolving disagreement that is central to [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indian_Philosophy Indic] and [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/European_Philosophy European philosophy], since antiquity. The [[word]] ''dialectic'' originated in [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ancient_Greece Ancient Greece], and was made popular by [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Plato Plato] in the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Socratic_dialogues Socratic dialogues]. The dialectical method is [[dialogue]] between [[two]], or among more, people holding [[different]] [[points of view]] about a subject, who wish to [[establish]] the [[truth]] of the matter by [[dialogue]], with reasoned [[arguments]]. Dialectics is [[different]] from [[debate]], wherein the debaters are [[committed]] to their [[points of view]], and mean to win the [[debate]], either by [[persuading]] the opponent, proving their [[argument]] correct, or proving the opponent's argument incorrect — thus, either a [[judge]] or a [[jury]] must decide who wins the [[debate]]. The [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dialectic#Principles dialectical method] is [[different]] from [[rhetoric]], wherein the speaker's [[oratory]] [[appeals]] to either [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Logos logos], [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pathos pathos], or [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ethos ethos]; thus, [[rhetorical]] [[speech]] means to [[persuade]] the [[listeners]] (auditors) to take the side of the [[argument]] presented. | '''Dialectic''' (also dialectics and the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dialectic#Principles ''dialectical method'']) is a [[method]] of [[argument]] for resolving disagreement that is central to [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indian_Philosophy Indic] and [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/European_Philosophy European philosophy], since antiquity. The [[word]] ''dialectic'' originated in [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ancient_Greece Ancient Greece], and was made popular by [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Plato Plato] in the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Socratic_dialogues Socratic dialogues]. The dialectical method is [[dialogue]] between [[two]], or among more, people holding [[different]] [[points of view]] about a subject, who wish to [[establish]] the [[truth]] of the matter by [[dialogue]], with reasoned [[arguments]]. Dialectics is [[different]] from [[debate]], wherein the debaters are [[committed]] to their [[points of view]], and mean to win the [[debate]], either by [[persuading]] the opponent, proving their [[argument]] correct, or proving the opponent's argument incorrect — thus, either a [[judge]] or a [[jury]] must decide who wins the [[debate]]. The [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dialectic#Principles dialectical method] is [[different]] from [[rhetoric]], wherein the speaker's [[oratory]] [[appeals]] to either [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Logos logos], [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pathos pathos], or [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ethos ethos]; thus, [[rhetorical]] [[speech]] means to [[persuade]] the [[listeners]] (auditors) to take the side of the [[argument]] presented. | ||
Revision as of 20:22, 13 April 2011
Origin
Middle English dialetik, from Anglo-French dialetiqe, from Latin dialectica, from Greek dialektikē, from feminine of dialektikos of conversation, from dialektos
Definitions
- 1: logic
- 2a : discussion and reasoning by dialogue as a method of intellectual investigation; specifically : the Socratic techniques of exposing false beliefs and eliciting truth
- b : the Platonic investigation of the eternal ideas
- 3: the logic of fallacy
- 4a : the Hegelian process of change in which a concept or its realization passes over into and is preserved and fulfilled by its opposite; also : the critical investigation of this process
- b (1) usually plural but singular or plural in construction : development through the stages of thesis, antithesis, and synthesis in accordance with the laws of dialectical materialism (2) : the investigation of this process (3) : the theoretical application of this process especially in the social sciences
- 5: usually plural but singular or plural in construction a : any systematic reasoning, exposition, or argument that juxtaposes opposed or contradictory ideas and usually seeks to resolve their conflict
- b : an intellectual exchange of ideas
- 6: the dialectical tension or opposition between two interacting forces or elements
Description
Dialectic (also dialectics and the dialectical method) is a method of argument for resolving disagreement that is central to Indic and European philosophy, since antiquity. The word dialectic originated in Ancient Greece, and was made popular by Plato in the Socratic dialogues. The dialectical method is dialogue between two, or among more, people holding different points of view about a subject, who wish to establish the truth of the matter by dialogue, with reasoned arguments. Dialectics is different from debate, wherein the debaters are committed to their points of view, and mean to win the debate, either by persuading the opponent, proving their argument correct, or proving the opponent's argument incorrect — thus, either a judge or a jury must decide who wins the debate. The dialectical method is different from rhetoric, wherein the speaker's oratory appeals to either logos, pathos, or ethos; thus, rhetorical speech means to persuade the listeners (auditors) to take the side of the argument presented.
The Sophists taught arête (Greek: ἀρετή, quality, excellence) as the highest value, and the determinant of one's actions in life. The Sophists taught artistic quality in oratory (motivation via speech) as a manner of demonstrating one's arête. Oratory was taught as an art form, used to please and to influence other people via excellent speech; nonetheless, the Sophists taught the pupil to seek arête in all endeavours, not solely in oratory.
Socrates favoured truth as the highest value, proposing that it could be discovered through reason and logic in discussion: ergo, dialectic. Socrates valued rationality (appealing to logic, not emotion) as the proper means for persuasion, the discovery of truth, and the determinant for one's actions. To Socrates, truth, not arête, was the greater good, and that each person should, above all else, seek truth to guide one's life. Therefore, Socrates opposed the Sophists and their teaching of rhetoric as art and as emotional oratory requiring neither logic nor proof. Different forms of dialectical reasoning emerged from the Indosphere (Greater India) and in the West (Europe), and throughout history; Socratic method, Hindu, Buddhist, Medieval, Hegelian dialectics, Marxist, Talmudic, and Neo-orthodoxy.
