Dialectic - the art of investigating or discussing the truth of opinions. It refers originally to dialogue between people holding different points of view about a subject but wishing to arrive at the truth through reasoned argumentation.
The face/vase optical illusion is listed as a visual example of a dialectic. I see this word more in opinion articles. It has to relate to current politics - to Trump and his methods.
Wikipedia says it resembles debate, but the concept excludes subjective elements such as emotional appeal and rhetoric.
From Jay Harvey in 2016: "Dialectical Trumpism positions Trump as the agent for resolving internal contradictions that obstruct American achievement and reduce its stature in the world's eyes. A true leader combines his insight into the ambitions and weaknesses of other leaders with a steady vision of the position America should occupy under his leadership. One of his most revealing boasts (at last summer's Freedom Fest in Las Vegas) is that a Chinese bank, "the largest bank in the world, is a tenant in one of my buildings." He has much to say on Trump's strategies and tactics using this approach - and that was in 2016.
There are many articles with the title "The dialectic of..." It makes me think this might be a great word to get attention to the article that is about two opposite sides with now intention to arrive at "the truth." There is even an article with "para-dialectic" but I would have to pay $56 to download it. So my attention has been gained, and then somewhat lost in the complicated world of "dialectic."
There needs to be an antidote to this dosage of turmoil each day in the Globe and Mail. There are big doses of turmoil each day. And each day seems to have a higher dosage than the last.
So I thought a lovely garden picture such as this one - the dragon fountain at Butchart Gardens in Victoria, but the dragon does look a nasty character.
Butchart says this about it:
The Dragon Fountain was presented as a gift from the People’s Republic of China in conjunction with the celebration of the 35th anniversary between the City of Victoria and our sister city, Suzhou. The dragon represents the friendship and goodwill of the Chinese people and signifies the wishes of peace and prosperity as well as good weather for our crops. It weighs in excess of 2700kg, spanning two meters high and three meters long.
