(~s)
1.
People refer to the ~ or ~s of a situation when they are referring to the way in which two very different forces or factors work together, and the way in which their differences are resolved. (TECHNICAL or FORMAL)
...the ~s of class struggle and of socio-economic change.
N-COUNT: with supp, oft the N of/between n
2.
In philosophy, ~s is a method of reasoning and reaching conclusions by considering theories and ideas together with ones that contradict them. (TECHNICAL)
N-UNCOUNT