Dialectical inquiry : A philosopher's perspective

Dialectic (also called dialectics or the dialectical method) is a method of argument, which has been central to both Eastern and Western philosophy since ancient times. Dialectic is rooted in the ordinary practice of a dialogue between two people who hold different ideas and wish to persuade each other.

One particularly essential tool for philosophers is the dialectical method of inquiry, which consists of establishing a dialogue between competing philosophical viewpoints so that one might eventually overcome the other through rational deductions. In this manner, philosophy is able to progress toward a better understanding of the Forms rather than simply arguing in circles about irrelevant thought experiments.

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