Dialectics is the synthesis of two opposing or different ideas in order to see the truth. It comes from the prefix dia-, meaning through, the root left, meaning variety in speech, and the suffix -ic, meaning relating to. Together the term's components refer to relating to something through the use of a variety in speech. Hence, by comparing differing concepts, one can learn something greater about the topic at hand. An author would use dialectics to create understanding about the overall topic and its relations to two other conflicting concepts by potentially showing that the overall topic is what brings the two conflicting topics together.
Emerson employs dialectics in order to create synthesis between the two differing ideas of ethics and religion. The following is an excerpt from Emerson's Nature that does just this: “Finally, religion and ethics, which may be fitly called, -- the practice of ideas, or the introduction of ideas into life, -- have an analogous effect with all lower culture, in degrading nature and suggesting its dependence on spirit. Ethics and religion differ herein; that the one is the system of human duties commencing from man; the other, from God. Religion includes the personality of God; Ethics does not. They are one to our present design. They both put nature under foot” (Emerson 62). Emerson points out the difference between ethics and religion. He then uses dialectics in order to comment on nature and to show how both relate to nature. In his idea of nature, both create the same effect on the individual.
Excerpt From: “Into the Wild Unit Supplemental Readings.” iBooks.
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