debate, disputation, public debate (noun)

the formal presentation of a stated proposition and the opposition to it (usually followed by a vote)

controversy, contention, contestation, disputation, disceptation, tilt, argument, arguing (noun)

a contentious speech act; a dispute where there is strong disagreement

"they were involved in a violent argument"

disputation (Noun)

The act of disputing; a reasoning or argumentation in opposition to something, or on opposite sides; controversy in words; verbal contest respecting the truth of some fact, opinion, proposition, or argument.

disputation (Noun)

A rhetorical exercise in which parties reason in opposition to each other on some question proposed.

Disputation

In the scholastic system of education of the Middle Ages, disputations offered a formalized method of debate designed to uncover and establish truths in theology and in sciences. Fixed rules governed the process: they demanded dependence on traditional written authorities and the thorough understanding of each argument on each side.

Disputation

In the scholastic system of education of the Middle Ages, disputations (in Latin: disputationes, singular: disputatio) offered a formalized method of debate designed to uncover and establish truths in theology and in sciences. Fixed rules governed the process: they demanded dependence on traditional written authorities and the thorough understanding of each argument on each side.