Agency Dictionary

Dichotomy

nounPronunciation: /daɪˈkɒt.ə.mi/

In Portuguese: Dicotomia

Philosophy & Ethics

What does “Dichotomy” mean?

A division or contrast between two things that are represented as entirely opposed or mutually exclusive. In cultural discourse, it often oversimplifies multifaceted realities.

Etymology

From Greek dikhotomia, "a cutting in two", formed from dikha ("in two, apart") and temnein ("to cut"), the verb also found in anatomy and atom. The word reached English, through learned Latin, around the start of the 17th century, in logic for the division of a class into two exclusive groups and in astronomy for the half-lit phase of the moon. The looser sense of a sharp contrast between two things is a later extension.

Usage note

In careful use a dichotomy is a division into two parts that exclude each other, not just any difference or dilemma. A "false dichotomy" presents two options as the only ones when others exist.

Synonyms

division
split
polarity
opposition
duality
contrast

Often confused with

dilemma: A dilemma is a forced choice between two unwelcome options; a dichotomy is the division itself, with no choice implied.

Word family

dichotomous
dichotomize
dichotomously
dichotomization

Rhymes with

lobotomy

Usage examples

This lack of neutrality creates a dangerous and worrying dichotomy where, as an immediate result, we see a polarity of extremism in opinions, driving people to extreme actions, hatred, lack of inclusivity, and suppression of minorities.

Concepts

Source editions

Where this entry comes from in the Agency editorial.

Issue.14 - ZephyrApril 30, 2023Read the edition

Words of the same theme

Antithesisnoun: A person, thing, or concept that represents the direct or exact opposite of another.
Discursiveadjective: Proceeding by reasoned argument or sequential exposition rather than by immediate visual intuition.
Treatisenoun: A formal, systematic, and comprehensive written work dealing methodically with the principles and evidence of a particular philosophical, scientific, or technical subject.
Maximnoun: A concise statement expressing a fundamental principle, general truth, or practical rule of conduct.
rhetoricnoun: The art of effective and persuasive speaking or writing, especially through strategic linguistic devices.
Tangibleadjective: Perceptible by the sense of touch or capable of being physically grasped and measured in concrete physical reality. It distinguishes concrete material products from virtual or intellectual entities.
Holisticadjective: Characterized by the comprehension of parts as intimately interconnected and explicable only in reference to the whole.
Abyssnoun: A deep or seemingly bottomless chasm, either in physical geography or metaphorical psychological depth. It evokes feelings of unfathomable emptiness or existential peril.
aestheticsnoun: A set of principles concerned with the nature and appreciation of beauty, artistic taste, and style.
Affectnoun: An expressed or experienced emotion, feeling, or visceral response to a stimulus in psychology and philosophy.
Agapenoun: A selfless, unconditional, and altruistic form of love often associated in theology with divine charity.
Ambiguitynoun: The quality of being open to more than one interpretation; inexactness or uncertainty of meaning.

Also from these editions: terms

Amalgamationnoun: The process of combining or uniting multiple distinct elements, genres, or organizations into a single coherent body. In music, it describes fusion between traditions.
Axiomnoun: A proposition or statement accepted as true without proof, serving as a premise for further reasoning. In logic, it forms the foundation of deductive systems.
Catharticadjective: Providing psychological relief through the open expression and release of strong or repressed emotions.
Deflectornoun: A device or shield designed to redirect the path of an oncoming particle, projectile, or beam of energy. In science fiction, it denotes protective barriers.
Hermeneuticsnoun: The branch of knowledge that deals with interpretation, especially of literary texts and philosophical works. It examines how meaning is mediated through linguistic context.
Hiatusnoun: A pause or gap in a sequence, activity, or series of creative works. In the music industry, it denotes an indefinite period where a group halts collaborative production.
Incongruousadjective: Not in harmony or keeping with the surroundings or other aspects of something. In artistic critique, it denotes striking dissonance between tone and theme.
Messiahnoun: A leader or savior regarded as the liberator or redeemer of an oppressed group. In cultural commentary, it metaphorically denotes an artist upon whom followers project salvation.
Shrapnelnoun: Fragments of a bomb, shell, or other object thrown out by an explosion. In narrative storytelling, it symbolizes the sudden traumatic scatter of destructive forces.
Steadfastadjective: Resolutely firm and unwavering in purpose, loyalty, or moral direction. In aesthetic philosophy, it characterizes an uncompromising dedication to truth.
Zephyrnoun: A light, gentle, and refreshing breeze that carries pleasant warmth or seasonal change. In literary usage, it symbolizes gentle inspiration and restorative movement.