josephf:
I think you are wrong regarding what’s “fair game” in the Beth Midrash. Look for example to the sugya of zaken mamre. One does not become a zaken mamre for espousing a divergent point of view. Indeed even after the consensus is established contra to that divergent point of view, one is not obligated to revise his thinking on the subejct. One is a zaken mamre only and only if he paskens l’maaseh against the consensus. I also point out that in the famous (and often misunderstood) sugya of “Tanur Achinai” HKB”H proclaims: “Nitzchuni banai. . .” But there is no record that R. ELiezer ever conceded the point.