DIALECTIC

dialectic (dI-<<schwa>>-lek-tik), n.1.  A school of logic  that teaches critical examination  of

the  truth  of  an  opinion,  esp.  by  discussion  or  debate.  •  The  method  was  applied  by  ancient

philosophers,  such  as  Plato  and  Socrates,  primarily  in  the  context  of  conversational  discussions

involving questions and answers, and also by more modern philosophers, such as Immanuel Kant,

who viewed it as a theory of fallacies, and G.W.F. Hegel, who applied the term to his philosophy

proceeding  from  thesis, to antithesis, to synthesis. 2.  An argument made by critically  examining

logical consequences. 3. A logical debate. 4. A disputant; a debater. Pl. dialectics. [Blacks Law 8th]