Maimonideson Dialectical Arguments

Abstract

Dialectical arguments are one kind of arguments Aristotle discussed in Topica, as apposed to demonstrative arguments. The dialecticians deal with some controversial topic, inferring from plausible premises while keeping an eye on the conflicting views. Maimonides learned dialectical arguments from the Arabic Aristotelian philosophers, in particular al-Farabi, and employed this kind of arguments in the theological exploration. His approach to the cosmogony issue furnishes a prominent example of this. However, Maimonides' understanding of dialectical arguments differs in some fundamental respects from the Arabic Aristotelian one, which reflects his comprehensive project of establishing the science of the Law in its true sense.