Polemic
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{{dablink|This article discusses the term "polemic". For the magazine, see [[Polemic (Magazine)]].}}
'''Polemics''' ({{pronEng|pəˈlɛmɪks/, /poʊ-}}) is the practice of disputing or controverting [[religion|religious]], [[philosophy|philosophical]], or [[politics|political]] matters. As such, a polemic text on a topic is often written specifically to dispute or refute a position or theory that is widely viewed to be beyond reproach.
{{Wiktionary}}
The [[antonym]] of a polemic source is an [[Apologetics|apologia]].
Polemic journalism was common in continental Europe when libel laws weren't stringent.<ref>{{cite encyclopedia |url=http://www.britannica.com/eb/topic-467241/polemic |title=polemic, or polemical literature, or polemics (rhetoric) |publisher=britannica.com |accessdate=2008-02-21}}</ref> The Research Support Libraries Programme "Pamphlet and polemic: pamphlets as a guide to the controversies of the 17th-19th centuries", co-managed by the [[University of St. Andrews]], the [[University of Aberdeen]], and [[University of Wales Lampeter]], collected and placed thousands of pamphlets on-line as a study of polemic rhetoric of that era.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://specialcollections.st-and.ac.uk/projpamph.htm |title=Pamphlet and polemic: pamphlets as a guide to the controversies of the 17th-19th centuries |publisher=specialcollections.st-and.ac.uk |accessdate=2008-02-21}}</ref> There are other meanings of the word as well. Polemic is also a branch of [[theology]], pertaining to the history or conduct of [[Ecclesiology|ecclesiastical]] controversy.<ref>{{cite journal |url=http://www.founders.org/FJ33/article3.html |title=Polemic Theology: How to Deal with Those Who Differ from Us |first=Roger R. |last=Nicole |journal=The Founders Journal |date=Summer 1998 |issue=33 |accessdate=2008-02-21}}</ref>
The word is derived from the Greek word ''polemikos'' (πολεμικως<!-- Not sure about spelling. -->) which means "warlike", "hostile".<ref>Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary (Merriam-Webster Incorporated, Springfied, MA, 2005), s.v. [http://www.m-w.com/dictionary/polemic "polemic"]</ref> [[Plato]] uses a character named [[Polemarchus]] in his dialogue [[Republic (dialogue)|''Republic'']] as a vehicle to drive forward an ethical debate.
==References==
{{Reflist}}
==See also==
* [[Apologia]]
* [[Conversational intolerance#Conversational intolerance|Conversational intolerance]]
* [[Devil's advocate]]
[[Category:Rhetoric]]
[[Category:Theology]]
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