Colloquium 1 Dialectic, Persuasion, and Science in Aristotle

Abstract What is dialectic and what it for, in Aristotle? Aristotle’s answer Topics 1.2 seems surprisingly lacking unity. He to imply that insofar as an expertise ( τέχνη ), a disposition three (possibly four) different kinds of productive achievement. Insofar method, one whose use seemingly subject multiple, differing standards evaluation. The goal the paper resist this problematic “multi-tool” view Aristotelian dialectic, by explaining how dialectic’s contributions training, encounters, philosophical sciences are same kind. unifies them, I argue, kind reasoning improves epistemic position person engages with it. reasoning-based practices which are, at heart, tools inquiry, for improving people’s understanding. This why beneficial persuasive encounters: enables its possessor persuade understanding their participants.