Wordnet 3.0
NOUN (1)
1.
a rationale for dialectical materialism based on change through the conflict of opposing forces;
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:
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]
WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006):
dialectics
n 1: a rationale for dialectical materialism based on change
through the conflict of opposing forces
Moby Thesaurus II by Grady Ward, 1.0:
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