<span>Based on the context of this excerpt from W. W. Jacobs's "The Monkey's Paw," the word placidly means <u>appearing to be calm and relaxed.
</u><u />The word placid means calm and serene.
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I would say that it depends on the audience. Personally, a debate regarding ethics and moral dilemma is interesting. Read The Fat Man and the Impending Doom. It's just one paragraph so it's not going to bore audience.
https://thedailydilemma.wordpress.com/2007/06/18/fat-man/
I believe that this type is a lecture-forum discussion.
Word choice is the answer
