Dialectics

3 definitions found

From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 [gcide]:

  Dialectics \Di`a*lec"tics\, n. [L. dialectica (sc. ars), Gr. ?
     (sc. ?): cf. F. dialectique.]
     That branch of logic which teaches the rules and modes of
     reasoning; the application of logical principles to
     discursive reasoning; the science or art of discriminating
     truth from error; logical discussion.


     [1913 Webster]
  
     Note: Dialectics was defined by Aristotle to be the method of
           arguing with probability on any given problem, and of
           defending a tenet without inconsistency. By Plato, it
           was used in the following senses:
  
     1. Discussion by dialogue as a method of scientific
        investigation.
  
     2. The method of investigating the truth by analysis.
  
     3. The science of ideas or of the nature and laws of being --
        higher metaphysics. By Kant, it was employed to signify
        the logic of appearances or illusions, whether these arise
        from accident or error, or from those necessary
        limitations which, according to this philosopher,
        originate in the constitution of the human intellect.
        [1913 Webster]

From WordNet (r) 2.0 [wn]:

  dialectics
       n : a rationale for dialectical materialism based on change
           through the conflict of opposing forces

From Moby Thesaurus II by Grady Ward, 1.0 [moby-thes]:

  20 Moby Thesaurus words for "dialectics":
     Aristotelian logic, Boolean algebra, Ramistic logic,
     algebra of classes, algebra of relations, dialectic,
     doctrine of inference, doctrine of terms, epistemological logic,
     experimental logic, formal logic, logic, logics, logistic,
     material logic, mathematical logic, propositional calculus,
     psychological logic, psychologism, set theory