Dialectical means having contradicting qualities.
from dialectic, dialect, dialectical method. To investigate logically.
Greek meaning: The art of argument. Aristotle
di [two] + lect [spoken] = dialektos Ôdiscourse, way of speaking,Õ
The logical investigation describes contradictions in concepts and ideas that bias our understanding of the facts. The inquiry into the existence of contradictions is performed to determine the truth of an assertion, and was at the core of the Greek, Roman and later Medieval comprehension of the world. The dialectic, or the means to distinguish the contrasts among varieties of things, discovering opposing relations in order to recognize patterns, or examine divergences between contrary means to order objects or experiences.
Dialectic was one of seven steps to practice in the mastery of knowledge. The four varieties of knowledge in an open mind should lead to wisdom, but there is no guarantee that dialectical thinking will always end at wisdom.
For example see Murray Gell Mann's division of the world into two opposing systems.
words | landscape | photographs
meaning opposites, or contrary
ideas
Literally:
The practice of logical discussion as a means of examining critically the truth of a theory or opinion.
Dialectic of Solitude, Octavio Paz.
Figuratively:
A
means of presenting contrasts as in photos or painting contrasts bring out
the desired image can reveal the essential qualities underlying any complex
or simple subjects may mislead due to over dramatization or simplification
of two sides of otherwise many sided argument.
Octavio Paz interprets dialectical thought.
Dialectical approaches to thinking about the world and analyzing significant questions is basic to all real knowledge. In a fundamental sense, dialectic perspectives are necessary for effective decision making.
For an example see 
Dialect
A
divergence from the original, ancestral or root, colloquial expressions in
any language distinct from the more widely spoken forms of language.
diad Opposite
from diad meaning two, comparing two things
(Diagram,
diagnosis)
Dia + gnosis meaning
gnosis, to know; knowing from two different means.
lectic
From
lexis means word, words (lexicon, legend) speaking, speech, spoken words or lyric.
Greek
originally meaning a conversation or dialogue.
Thus
dialectic is a means of discerning the verity of ideas or argumentation through
the use of two contrasting sides:
favorable
as opposed to unfavorable
supporting evidence
as opposed to contrary evidence
To
contradict in order to determine the reason or rationale of something.
| Pro |
assert |
plaintiff |
prosecution |
promote |
ideal |
propose |
support |
| Con |
refute |
defendant |
defense |
demote |
real |
oppose |
condemn |
or
| Pro |
Con |
prefix (before)
|
suffix (after)
|
add +
|
subtract -
|
multiply X
|
divide Ö
|
advocate
|
denigrate
|
| synonym |
antonym |
one |
many |
day |
night |
positive |
negative |
plus |
minus |
predator
|
prey
|
adult
|
child
|
Antonyms
Opposites reveal how matter is arranged:
Short versus, Long wave radiation or ionizing radiation versus thermal (heat) radiation.
positively vs. negatively charged particles.
Proton
versus electron
We
posses a left and right side, a ventral and dorsal surface.
There is an up and a down, an inside and an outside.
A beginning and an ending.
Two similar architectural features joined by an archways.
Below is the exterior of a reconstruction of Constantine's Basilica at Trier, one of the capitals of the Roman Empire, The plan of the building was incorporated into the earliest Christian churches as the common basilica or town hall were the municipal meeting places or venues for law courts in ancient Roman society. Much of the buildings design and construction rested on a union of opposite features.
What
in the chapel appears to be arranged in pairs or opposite sides?
An
arch,
set
perpendicular to another arch at its center point
is a vault
phonic
versus antiphonic
Narthex
versus Altar
What
is a vault and how is it constructed?
Dialectical
refers to the capacity to see an inherent opposition between two things, literally. Figuratively it implies the capability to understand contradictory points of view. A dialectic
embodies the ability to set arguments side by side in order to determine
their relative structure, factual evidence, and believable qualities.
Thus
when choosing to compare and contrast positions a dialectical emerges from
the differences that are delineated by listing points and counter-points to
every description and argument that is presented by a piece of writing, an
exposition, or an essay. There is always an opposite perspective to the assertions
of an argument.
see method
|
|
|
Proton |
|
Neutron |
Positive |
|
No charge |
But
we construct the world out of opposites and by uniting these apparent polarities
in a structure we make use of contrasts in order to see more accurately what
it is we are perceiving. Genuine, authentic knowledge only emerges from a
contrast of opposites.
The problem is that an atom is really composed of negatively charged electrons (blue ball) and positively charged (orange ball) protons.
An arch, any arch is a composition of opposing forces to raise a great structure. Just as an atom is composed of opposing forces of electrical charges that sustain the great structure of the material world. Atoms bond into compounds and compounds into molecules that make up the different things we see, touch, sense and are made up of from the world around us.
Last
Updated on
June 22, 2007.
By
Joseph Siry
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