dia·lec·tic n. The art or practice of arriving at the truth by the exchange of logical arguments. The process especially associated with Hegel of arriving at the truth by stating a thesis, developing a contradictory antithesis, and combining and resolving them into a coherent synthesis. Hegel's critical method for the investigation of this process. The Marxian process of change through the conflict of opposing forces, whereby a given contradiction is characterized by a primary and a secondary aspect, the secondary succumbing to the primary, which is then transformed into an aspect of a new contradiction. Often used in the plural with a singular or plural verb. The Marxian critique of this process.

dialectics(used with a sing. verb) A method of argument or exposition that systematically weighs contradictory facts or ideas with a view to the resolution of their real or apparent contradictions. The contradiction between two conflicting forces viewed as the determining factor in their continuing interaction.

dialectic adj :  of or relating to or employing dialectic; "the dialectical method" [syn: dialectical] n 1: any formal system of reasoning that arrives at the truth by the exchange of logical arguments 2: a contradiction of ideas that serves as the determining factor in their interaction; "this situation created the inner dialectic of American history"