Dialectic..

Dialectic (also called dialectics or the dialectical method) is a method of argument, which has been central to both Indic and Western philosophy since ancient times. The word "dialectic" originates in Ancient Greece, and was made popular by Plato in his Socratic dialogues. Dialectic is based on a dialogue between two or more people who may hold differing views, yet wish to seek the truth of the matter through the exchange of their viewpoints while applying reason. [1] This differs from a debate, in which both sides are committed to their viewpoint and only wish to win the debate by persuading or proving themselves right (or the other side wrong) --and thus a jury or judge is often needed to decide the matter. It also differs from rhetoric, which is oratory that appeals to logos, pathos, or ethos. Rhetoric is communication designed to persuade an audience to side with a particular argument or action.

From: Wikipedia

The Sophists taught "arête" (quality, excellence) as the highest value and determinant of one's actions in life. The Sophists taught artistic quality in oratory (as we might teach someone to both write and to deliver a moving or motivational monologue) as (one) manner of demonstrating one's "arête". They taught oratory as an art form, used to both please and to influence others through the excellence of one's speeches (as opposed to using logical arguments). (The Sophists taught that a person should seek arête in all that he did, not just oratory).

Socrates favored "Truth" as the highest value, holding that it could be discovered through reason and logic in discussion: ergo, dialectic. Socrates valued rationality, i.e. logical appeal, above emotional appeal, as the proper means for persuasion, discovery of truth, and as the determinant of action. To Socrates, Truth, not arête, was the higher good, and each person should seek Truth above all to guide his life. Socrates therefore opposed the Sophists and their teaching of rhetoric as artistic, emotional oratory that did not require logic or proof. [2] Different forms of dialectical reason have emerged in the Indosphere and in the West, as well as during different eras of history (see below). Among the major forms of dialectic reason are Socratic, Hindu, Buddhist, Medieval, Hegelian, Marxist, and Talmudic.

From: Wikipedia