debate

Debate is a process that involves formal discourse, discussion, and oral addresses on a particular topic or collection of topics, often with a moderator and an audience. In a debate, arguments are put forward for common opposing viewpoints. Debates have historically occurred in public meetings, academic institutions, debate halls, coffeehouses, competitions, and legislative assemblies. Debates have also been conducted for educational and recreational purposes, usually associated with educational establishments and debating societies. These debates emphasized logical consistency, factual accuracy, and emotional appeal to an audience. Modern forms of competitive debate also include rules for participants to discuss and decide upon the framework of the debates (how the debate will be judged).
The term "debate" may also be applied to a more continuous, inclusive and less formalised process through which issues are explored and resolved across a range of agencies and among the general public: for example the European Commission in 2021 published a Green Paper on Ageing intended to generate such a debate on "policies to address the challenges and opportunities of ageing" in forthcoming years, and Pope Francis refers to "the need for forthright and honest debate" on society and the environment in his 2015 encyclical letter Laudato si'.

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