Abstract

This chapter examines the traditional notion that there is a move towards a more didactic type of dialectic as one progresses from ‘early’ to ‘middle’ and ‘late’ works. Drawing on Aristotle’s classification of types of dialectic, the discussion explores what interpreters mean when they use the term ‘didactic dialectic’ and surveys common approaches to the apparent change in dialectical style in later works. Following this, with particular reference to Republic and Sophist, it is argued that there is a decided dialectical edge to discussion in works of all types; and that far from encouraging a lower level of input, the construction of arguments in ‘middle’ and ’late’ works in fact requires increasingly active and full participation on the part of the receiver and provides her with challenges which are appropriate to her now more advanced stage of dialectical development.