Polemic
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
- This article discusses the term "polemic". For the magazine, see Polemic (Magazine).
Polemics /pəˈlɛmɪks, poʊ-/[puh-lem-iks, poh-] is the practice of disputing or controverting religious, philosophical, or political matters. As such, a polemic text on a topic is written specifically to dispute or refute a topic that is widely viewed to be a "sacred cow" or beyond reproach, in an effort to promote factual awareness.
The antonym of a polemic source is an apologia.
There are other meanings of the word, as well. Polemic is also a branch of theology, pertaining to the history or conduct of ecclesiastical controversy.
The word is derived from the Greek word polemikos (πολεµικως) which means warlike[1]. Plato uses a character named Polemarchus in Plato's Republic as a vehicle to drive forward an ethical debate.
