Polemic is the art or practice of inciting disputation or causing controversy, for example in 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 "stir up trouble".

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^*. Plato uses a character named Polemarchus in Plato's Republic as a vehicle to drive forward an ethical debate.

Polemicists typically argue a very narrow point by drawing upon many seemingly unrelated premises, they tend to emote and appeal to the sensibilities of their audience. Another ancient word describing a style of argument is Sophism, a style typified by its deliberate and clever use of rhetoric and fallacy.

Polemic Magazine

Polemic, "a Magazine of Philosophy, Psychology, and Aesthetics", during its short life (1945-47, 8 issues) published some of George Orwell's most well known essays. "The Prevention of Literature" is both a spirited attack on the "distortion in writing" caused by the "poisonous impact on 'English intellectual life' by Stalinist and fellow travelling apologists for Soviet actions and a strong defense of freedom of expression". Swingler, a minor English communist poet in his mid-30s, attacked Orwell for writing this article ‘through a fog of vagueness and through a hailstorm of private hates’, equating Orwell (and Koestler) with the anti-Soviet "HEARST PRESS". Polemic's editors allowed Orwell to respond to Swingler in sidebars almost as long as the article. In "Lear, Tolstoy and the Fool" Orwell dredges up and dismisses a long forgotten pamphlet by Leo Tolstoy in which the Russian author judged Shakespeare as "not even an average author". Orwell used Tolstoy's pamphlet to condemn those who would practice coercion in support of their beliefs, no matter how principled or noble these might be. Both Polemic essays have been anthologized in various Orwell collections.

See also

---

• Buddhist polemics
• Devil's advocate

Polemik | Polémica | Полемика | Polemik

Rhetoric | Theology