Aristotle's treatise on dialectical reasoning. The Topics teaches how to construct and evaluate arguments on any subject, using commonly accepted premises — the practical art of philosophical debate, as opposed to the formal logic of the Analytics.
Start ReadingIntroduction to dialectical reasoning. Aristotle defines dialectic, distinguishes it from demonstration and eristic, and introduces the four predicables — definition, genus, property, and accident — that structure all dialectical arguments.
Arguments about accident. Aristotle catalogues the common strategies (topoi) for constructing and refuting claims that a particular attribute belongs accidentally to a subject.
Further strategies for accident and comparison. Aristotle provides additional topoi for arguing about accidental properties and for making comparative judgements — what is more or less desirable, noble, or good.
Arguments about genus. Aristotle examines the topoi for establishing or refuting claims that something belongs to a particular genus — the strategies for arguing about essential classification.
Arguments about property. Aristotle analyses the topoi for establishing or refuting claims that an attribute is a proprium — something that belongs to a subject necessarily but is not part of its definition.
Arguments about definition (part 1). Aristotle examines strategies for testing whether a proposed definition is correct — whether it is too broad, too narrow, obscure, or circular.
Arguments about definition (part 2). Aristotle continues his analysis of definitional topoi, examining genus and differentia, and providing criteria for evaluating whether a definition captures the essence of its subject.
The practice of dialectical argument. Aristotle gives practical advice on how to conduct philosophical debates — how to select premises, arrange arguments, and handle the give-and-take of actual dialectical encounter.