這些單詞均有爭辯或辯論的含義。argue為最常用單詞，主要在于說服他人接受某項結(jié)論或支持、證明某項結(jié)論，其有時措辭較激烈，有接近爭吵之嫌；argue也可指在法庭上陳述案情[1]。debate通常指正式的argue，雙方陳述觀點，過程受裁決人的控制，且按一定的規(guī)則進(jìn)行，尤指議會對議案進(jìn)行討論等[2], 如：The House of Representatives debate the proposal for two days。dispute則常指感情多于理性的argue，且常帶有一種派系觀點[3]。reason多指謹(jǐn)慎和煞費(fèi)苦心進(jìn)行的爭辯，目的在于勸導(dǎo)或作某課題上深層次的探討[4]。

[1]“To give reasons for or against a matter in dispute; to present a case in court. ” Cf. Linda Picard Wood, J. D. Merriam Webster's Dictionary of Law, at p. 31，Memam-Web- ster, Incorporated Springfield, Massachusetts (1996).
[2]“Discussion leading to a vote, especially the discussion of a motion in Parliament. ” Cf. P. H. Collin, Dictionary of Law，2nd edition, at p. 153, Peter Collin Publishing Ltd. (1993 ).
[3] "Dispute，in this context, means to argue with more passion than logic, often from a factional point of view. ”Cf. The Editors of the Reader's Digest, Use the Right Word, at p. 20，The Reader's Digest Association Proprietary Ltd. (1971).
[4] "Reason means to argue or discuss in a careful and painstaking manner in order to persuade or explore a subject in depth. " Id. at p. 20.