Such arguments can appear arcane, often turning conventional wisdom on its head.
Theological differences that appear arcane or even meaningless to many people today triggered a seemingly interminable round of local and international wars.
Meanwhile wrestling, which has appeared in every Games bar one since the modern Olympics began in Athens in 1896 but can appear arcane and baffling to outsiders, was asleep on the job and found itself cast from the programme.
And I know that, to some, this might appear arcane Westminster kremlinology.
Alchemy may appear arcane, bizarre and ridiculous at first.
The language of cultural theory may appear arcane and indecipherable to some but to those in interdisciplinary studies it offers a common parlance.
Likewise, the two physical revolutions of the last century that invalidated Newton's ruling ideas Einstein's general relativity and Bohr's quantum mechanics—appear arcane to a contemporary audience.
Of all the economic disorders of the last three years, none has appeared more arcane, uncertain and transitory than that having to do with food.
Whatever the details of the accusations, the detentions underscore the growing importance and extreme sensitivity of what might to outside eyes appear an arcane, dull and mysterious business: iron ore.
The dispute may seem arcane.
