Polarity (philosophy)
Polarity is an expression of philosophy for the relationship between mutually dependent quantities. It differs from dualism , in which the sizes are seen as antagonistic (not compatible with one another). Polarity is not about an irreconcilable contrast, but about a complementary relationship.
A polarity consists of a pair of opposites and the relationship between the poles: light - dark, cold - hot, black - white, man - woman, love - hate, poor - rich, sick - healthy, etc. whereby a single pole is never valued ( good or bad). The poles are the two opposite ends of the same thing, inextricably linked into a unity and condition one another. Day can only be defined in contrast to night, hot only when there is also cold, no poverty without wealth, etc.
In the sense of the doctrine of opposites, which according to Romano Guardini is the basic principle of all living and concrete, the knowledge of polarity does not happen as in Aristotelian logic, which is based on the principle of contradiction (A is not equal to not-A). Rather, the understanding of this type of oppositional relationship (or unit of tension ) is made possible primarily by the paradoxical logic , which states that A and not-A are not mutually exclusive as a property of X.
In German idealism , a philosophical movement, the term polarity is used particularly by Schelling and Hegel . Hegel speaks of polarity as "of a difference in which the differences are inseparable ". It is important to uncover a polar structure in the dialectical movement based on the principle of unity and separation of opposites (cf. contradiction (dialectic) ).
If you combine the two opposite poles, you will find the unity that represents polarity to polarity. In Chinese philosophy , polarity ( Taiji ) is a central term. Particularly in Daoism , a unity of polar opposites ( Yin and Yang ) is particularly emphasized.