Dialectic Definition

dīə-lĕktĭk

dialectics

noun

dialectics

The art or practice of examining opinions or ideas logically, often by the method of question and answer, so as to determine their validity.

Webster's New World

Logical argumentation.

Webster's New World

The method of logic used by Hegel and adapted by Marx to observable social and economic processes: it is based on the principle that an idea or event (thesis) generates its opposite (antithesis), leading to a reconciliation of opposites (synthesis)

Webster's New World

The Marxian process of change through the conflict of opposing forces, whereby a given contradiction is characterized by a primary and a secondary aspect, the secondary succumbing to the primary, which is then transformed into an aspect of a new contradiction.

American Heritage

A method of argument or exposition that systematically weighs contradictory facts or ideas with a view to the resolution of their real or apparent contradictions.

American Heritage

Synonyms:

adjective

Dialectical.

Webster's New World

Dialectical.

Wiktionary

Synonyms:

Synonyms:
dialectical

Antonyms:

Other Word Forms of Dialectic

Noun

Singular:

dialectic

Plural:

dialectics

Origin of Dialectic

From Old French dialectique, from Late Latin dialectica, from Ancient Greek διαλεκτική (dialektike, “the art of argument through interactive questioning and answering”), from διαλεκτικός (dialektikos, “competent debater”), from διαλέγομαι (dialegomai, “to participate in a dialogue”), from διά (dia, “through, across”) + λέγειν (legein, “to speak”).

From Wiktionary
Middle English dialetik from Old French dialetique from Latin dialectica logic from Greek dialektikē (tekhnē) (art) of debate feminine of dialektikos from dialektos speech, conversation dialect

From American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition