I find it very useful do distinguish between what I call "debate" and "discussion" "debate" = everyone involved is trying to win, where "win" usually means convincing the audience. "discussion" = everyone involved is trying to learn the truth. Less wrong is obviously a place for discussion, but even in a discussion I find the above vocabulary useful. However I don't know if this distinction are common use of these words. What words are commonly used for these concepts on LW?

The article that I find most similar to this idea is The Scales of Justice, the Notebook of Rationality. You might call debate 'defending a side' or 'counting points', as opposed to seeking the truth.