DIALECTICS

From Agepedia

DIALECTICS ; the old name of logic, or the art of reasoning (from ZiaXiYttrQai, to speak), because thought and reasoning are expressed by speech, and thus were first manifested, and the mind naturally proceeds from the obvious to the remote, from the particular to the general. Logic (q. v.) was early denominated, in conformity with this name, the art of speaking or disputing. By dialectician, we understand a teacher of dialectics, or one who understands the art of logical disputation. , DIALOGUE; a conversation or conference between two or more persons. The word is particularly used in reference to theatrical performances and to written conversations, or a composition in which two or more persons are represented as interchanging ideas on a given topic. The ancient philosophers, especially the Greeks, from their peculiar vivacity, were fond of this form ; they used it for the communication of their investigations on scientific subjects. The dialogues of Plato are a sort of philosophical dramas. The Socratic dialogue (so called) consists of questions and answers, and the person questioned is obliged, by successively assenting to the interrogatories put to him, to come to the conclusions which the questioner wishes to produce. This dialogue supposes in the interrogator a thorough knowledge of human nature in general, and of the person questioned in particular. The dialogue is now much used for verbal instruction. The philosophical dialogue seems but little adapted to our manners and the present improved state of the sciences ; and, being written, of course, with the view of establishing certain positions, the objections raised are only such as can be readily answered, and thereby assist in establishing the desired conclusions; but are not always such as present themselves to the reader, who is often dissatisfied with the result, because his own doubt* are not settled. Erasmus of Rotterdam, and subsequently, among the Germans, Lessing, Moses Mendelssohn, Engel, Herder, Jacobi, Solger, have written in this form. In comic and satiric dialogue, Wieland lias imitated the satirist Lucian. Among the most distinguished Italian writers of dialogue are Petrarca (Dt vera Sapientia), Machiavelli, Gelli, Algarotti and Gozzi; and among the French, Sarrasin, Malebranche, Fenelon: Fontenelle and St. Mard imitated Lucian, and, among the English, bishop Berkeley and Hurd have imitated Plato, and Harris, Cicero. Lord Lyttelton's dialogues of the dead, and Addison's dialogues on medals, are well known. Landor's imaginary conversations of literary men and statesmen (London, 182()) attracted some attention. If the conversation gives rise to action, then the drama is produced. In the drama, the dialogue, in a narrower sense, is opposed to monologue or soliloquy; in the opera, it is that which is spoken, in opposition to that which is sung. (See Drama.)