dialectic

philosophy

1. 1 :  logic 1a(1)

2. 2a :  discussion and reasoning by dialogue as a method of intellectual investigation; specifically :  the Socratic techniques of exposing false beliefs and eliciting truthb :  the Platonic (see platonic 1) investigation of the eternal ideas

3. 3 :  the logic of appearances and of illusions :  the logic of fallacy the dialectic of Kant

4. 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 processb 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. 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 truthb :  an intellectual exchange of ideas

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