"conceptual discussion" is a perfectly valid and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to refer to a conversation or dialogue about an idea or concept. For example, "The panelists had an interesting conceptual discussion about the implications of artificial intelligence."
In that case, no "conceptual discussion" is even conceptually possible.
But Mr. Smith said he described for Mr. Getnick a "conceptual" discussion intended simply to frame and debate options for saving the franchise.
The paper grounds the conceptual discussion in a typical case study of the business process.
Several specific statistical techniques, like factor analysis and the theory of Bayesian networks, invite conceptual discussion of their own accord.
We developed a review protocol, including a conceptual discussion of the research problem and a statement of its significance.
Although Guillaume, in De fide, 2, elaborates the relation between probability and faith, these passages contain no deeper conceptual discussion of probability.
"We did, however, have conceptual discussions, aimed at resolving the differences between us," he said.
Tannenbaum, speaking by telephone from his home in Houston, said he had had conceptual discussions with five or six other teams and would talk to those teams this week.
He added, "Precisely because there was little practical business to be done, the element of confidence had to emerge from conceptual discussions".
It is only then, she suggested, that the couple should have the more conceptual discussions about plans for the future or retirement and how to pay for them.
It is the view of many economists associated with the Institute of Economic Affairs that university economics teaching has become too narrow, with conceptual discussions between alternative paradigms almost nonexistent in undergraduate courses.
