ion. For Perelman, a definition should always be regarded as an argument, and should be evaluated as an argument. A definition should not be categorized as either purely arbitrary or as purely descriptive accounts of fixed meanings. The approach to definitions taken in the new dialectic is directly at odds with these popular views. In the new dialectic, argumentation is always evaluated as used...

Drawing from Antonio Gramsci’s ideas, a dialectic analysis of accountability change in a large, Bangladesh NGO – BRAC is conducted to investigate how BRAC extended accountability issues within society; and how hegemonic and counter-hegemonic dialectics changed accountability practices. The paper details how a functional accountability was transformed into a holistic social form as it interacted...

We propose a population-based optimization algorithm inspired by two main thinking modes in philosophy. Particles are regarded as thinkers and their locations are interpreted as the theses. Both thinking modes are based on the concept of dialectic and thesis-antithesis paradigm. Idealistic and materialistic antitheses are formulated as optimization models. Based on the models, the population is...

One of the most important contribution to Argumentation Theory in the past few decades has been the Pragma-Dialectic approach led by van Eemeren and Grootendorst of the Amsterdam School. This programme presents a systematic theory intended to provide an analytical framework through which one can reconstruct and normatively investigate ordinary argumentative communication. The emphasis is very s...