dialectic

noun di·a·lec·tic \ ˌdī-ə-ˈlek-tik \

Updated on: 7 May 2018

Definition of dialectic

philosophy

1 : logic 1a(1)

2 a : 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 (see platonic 1) investigation of the eternal ideas

3 : the logic of appearances and of illusions : the logic of fallacy

the dialectic of Kant

4 a : 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 Marxism

(1) usually dialectics plural in form but singular or plural in construction : development through the stages of thesis (see thesis 4), antithesis, and synthesis (see synthesis 2b) 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 dialectics plural in form but singular or plural in construction

a : any systematic reasoning, exposition (see exposition 2a), or argument that juxtaposes opposed or contradictory ideas and usually seeks to resolve their conflict : a method of examining and discussing opposing ideas in order to find the truth

b : an intellectual exchange of ideas

6 : the dialectical tension or opposition between two interacting forces or elements

See dialectic defined for English-language learners

Recent Examples of dialectic from the Web

Theirs is a dazzling dialectic — a sort of Talmudic argument as snarled by junkyard dogs.

— f. kathleen foley, latimes.com, "'Bad Jews' at the Odyssey: High-decibel hilarity," 2 May 2018
An intellectual dialectic within the Republican coalition is straining to produce a new, more pro-worker synthesis — which Olsen himself has long advocated.

— michael gerson, Anchorage Daily News, "Trumpism can’t be treated as a normal political moment," 1 Apr. 2018
The Woody Allen figure in a Woody Allen movie is almost always in transit from one woman to another, impelled by a dialectic of enchantment, disappointment and reawakened desire.

— a. o. scott, New York Times, "My Woody Allen Problem," 31 Jan. 2018
In her book Trauma and Recovery: The Aftermath of Violence — From Domestic Abuse to Political Terror, Judith Lewis Herman refers to something called the dialectic of trauma.

— caroline catlin, Longreads, "My Abuser’s Gender Made Me Doubt My Experience," 27 Feb. 2018
History, Ferguson argues, is a product of the dialectic between corporate org chart-style hierarchies and networks — flat, more anarchic configurations of mutually interested individuals and groups.

— stephen phillips, San Francisco Chronicle, "Books by Virginia Eubanks, Jeremy Bailenson, Niall Ferguson," 1 Feb. 2018
The first test of this new dialectic wasn’t long in coming.

— andrew browne, WSJ, "The Underclass That Threatens Xi’s ‘China Dream’," 5 Dec. 2017
Each Prelude is a study in dialectics with seemingly irreconcilable ideas made to share a claustrophobically small space.

— corinna da fonseca-wollheim, New York Times, "Review: Violinist Gidon Kremer Shares 24 Soviet Snapshots," 1 Nov. 2017
How strange to see this very dialectic embraced by the far right.

— jonathan chait, Daily Intelligencer, "How Cassidy-Graham Would Make Single Payer More Likely," 19 Sep. 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'dialectic.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of dialectic

Middle English dialetik, from Anglo-French dialetiqe, from Latin dialectica, from Greek dialektikē, from feminine of dialektikos of conversation, from dialektos — see dialect

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 14th century

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year