We have to distinguish many types of debates, ranging from constructive dialogue to fighting polemic, two extreme types of exchanges marked by opposite traits: co-operative pattern vs. competitive pattern. Each of them have their typical argumentative schemes, rules or moves, and standard of evaluation. The values that come into play and into conflict are epistemic-conceptual values, dialectical-rhetorical values and ethical-interactional values. All of them may perhaps be unified under the general opposition ¿to be right¿ and ¿to succeed in persuading someone¿. It seems that a controversial attitude in debate, aiming to succeed in persuading by using polemical moves, is not only a classical rhetorical protocol, but also a good paradigm for philosophy and a good pedagogical practiceArgument, debate, dialogue, polemic, co-operation, conflict, vir bonus dicendi peritus. ¿Cuando obtenéis la victoria por méritos de vuestro argumento, es