Pronunciation: (dī"u-lek'tik), [key]
1. of, pertaining to, or of the nature of logical argumentation.
1. the art or practice of logical discussion as employed in investigating the truth of a theory or opinion.
2. logical argumentation.
3. Often, dialectics.
a. logic or any of its branches.
b. any formal system of reasoning or thought.
4. See Hegelian dialectic.
5. dialectics, (often used with a sing. v.) the arguments or bases of dialectical materialism, including the elevation of matter over mind and a constantly changing reality with a material basis.
6. (in Kantian epistemology) a fallacious metaphysical system arising from the attribution of objective reality to the perceptions by the mind of external objects. Cf. transcendental dialectic.
7. the juxtaposition or interaction of conflicting ideas, forces, etc.
Random House Unabridged Dictionary, Copyright © 1997, by Random House, Inc., on Infoplease.