Meaning & use
dialectic
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Meanings
noununcountable
A way of finding truth by putting opposing ideas against each other in structured argument.
Grammar: Used as a mass noun: talk about 'the dialectic' or 'dialectic' in general, not 'a dialectic' for the method.
Patterns
- the dialectic of something
- engage in dialectic
- use dialectic
In philosophy class, we studied dialectic as a tool for testing beliefs through questions and answers.
Her essay argues that dialectic is more useful than simple debate because it aims at truth, not victory.
The seminar encouraged dialectic between students with opposing views.
nouncountable
A particular set of opposing forces or ideas that produce change or development.
Grammar: Often used with 'the' and 'of': 'the dialectic of history'.
Patterns
- the dialectic of something
- a dialectic between A and B
The book describes the dialectic of freedom and security in modern politics.
Hegel saw history as a dialectic in which each stage grows out of conflict with the previous one.
Common combinations
- Hegelian dialectic
- The Hegelian dialectic moves from thesis to antithesis to synthesis.
- Socratic dialectic
- Socratic dialectic uses questions to expose contradictions in someone's beliefs.
- the dialectic of history
- Marx adapted the dialectic of history to explain economic change.
- engage in dialectic
- The two scholars engaged in dialectic for hours.
Synonyms and how they differ
- debate
- Debate is a general exchange of opposing arguments; dialectic is more specific and aims at truth through structured questioning.
- dialogue
- Dialogue is any conversation; dialectic is a philosophical method of argument.
- logic
- Logic studies valid reasoning; dialectic uses reasoning in live argument between people.
Word family
- dialectical adjective
- Relating to dialectic, as in 'dialectical method'.
- dialectician noun
- A person skilled in dialectic.
Commonly confused: dialectic or dialect?
dialectic vs dialect
A dialect is a regional variety of a language; dialectic is a method of argument.
Practice
The professor described _____ as a process of resolving contradictions through dialogue.
Choose one answer.
The blank needs a noun for the method, so 'dialectic' fits. 'Dialect' is a language variety, 'dialectical' is an adjective, and 'dialectician' is a person.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “dialectic”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.