If two ideas or approaches are opposed and there is a debate between the two positions, a controversy is taking place. This concept does not apply to a common and worldly dispute, but refers to relevant issues.
The controversy is typical of the philosophical, religious, scientific or political terrain. It could be said that there is a general pattern in most controversies. There are majority ideas on a specific topic. These are accepted as valid and are not questioned. Over time, new ideas appear, which are opposed to the commonly accepted. A process of debate and discussion begins. The supporters for and against compete and, finally, one of the two currents manages to be hegemonic: the traditional or the alternative proposal. At times, the two visions maintain their position and the controversy continues.
In Christianity there have been multiple interpretations, which have been specified in the different conceptions (Catholicism, Protestantism, Orthodox Church, etc.). In all cases there was some kind of controversy and this continues in the academic world or in society itself.
In science there have been moments of great controversy. Copernicus and Galileo proposed a new image of the world. They showed that the earth is not at the center of the universe and their ideas were condemned by the traditional approach based on the sacred scriptures. Two positions faced each other (heliocentrism and geocentrism). At bottom, it was a controversy between two different approaches: one scientific and the other religious. In a similar way, the same thing happened with the idea of evolution proposed by Darwin and even today there is talk of creationism versus evolutionism.
In politics, controversies have led to conflicts with serious consequences. The civil war in the USA occurred because two sides fought: the south defended slavery and the north was in favor of its abolition.
Political and ideological positions are expressed in the media related to a wide variety of issues: drugs, prostitution, rights and freedoms. The debates are very varied And any reality or idea is susceptible to controversy. Man is an animal that communicates and discrepancy appears sooner or later. Arguing, debating or polemicizing are ways of relating and it is difficult to imagine a situation without confrontation of ideas. If the controversy is rational and respectful, it is enriching and synonymous with plurality and cultural richness. If one approach tries to impose itself on another, there is a degeneration of the controversy and its consequences end up being negative.
