disputation

Disputation is the act or process of arguing or debating a matter, often in a formal setting. It can refer to a specific argument or to the broader practice of presenting and testing opposing views to resolve a dispute or to assess competing claims. In scholarly contexts, disputation denotes a structured method of examination or debate used to test ideas.

The term originates from Latin disputatio, meaning a weighing or discussion, from disputare, to discuss or argue.

Historically, disputation was central to medieval and early modern universities. A disputation was a public exercise in which a candidate defended a thesis before a panel of examiners, answering questions and engaging in argument. This format often preceded the awarding of degrees and served as a method to demonstrate mastery of a subject.

In modern usage, disputation remains a formal term in some philosophical, theological, or juridical settings, describing a public defense or a structured oral examination. In English, it is relatively rare; more common terms include debate, defense, or argumentation. The word can also appear in non-English scholarly terms such as disputación or dispută, reflecting broader traditions of public reasoning and scholarly interrogation.