\nListening to a lecture — given either to a small audience such as in a typical classroom, or to a large audience such as in a public lecture — at best, one learns the opinions of the lecturer; but one does not learn the merits of such opinions unless they are subject to criticism by a person of at least equal competence. I, therefore, recommend that all controversial matters taught in schools be conducted by two competent persons with incompatible positions.\n<\/p>
\nHistorically, such an approach was dramatically illustrated by Plato’s dialogues<\/a>, as well as by Aristotle in some of his writings<\/a>, and more so by Aquinas in his Summa Theologiae<\/a>. But these are imaginary or opinionated dialogues. What is needed is to witness real disputes.\n<\/p> \nAs illustrations, let me offer the following debates available on the internet as examples.\n<\/p> \nThe first one is a BBC radio debate between Bertrand Russell and Frederick Copleston in 1948:\n