dialectic (ˌdaɪəˈlɛktɪk) ![]() | |
| —n | |
| 1. | disputation or debate, esp intended to resolve differences between two views rather than to establish one of them as true |
| 2. | philosophy |
| a. the conversational Socratic method of argument | |
| b. (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 Hegelian dialectic See also dialectical materialism the process of reconciliation of contradiction either of beliefs or in historical processes |
| —adj | |
| 5. | of or relating to logical disputation |
| [C17: from Latin dialectica, from Greek dialektikē (tekhnē) (the art) of argument; see | |
| dialec'tician | |
| —n | |
| a stew of meat, vegetables, potatoes, etc. |
| an arrangement of five objects, as trees, in a square or rectangle, one at each corner and one in the middle. |