Final answer:
The Lincoln-Douglas debate is the formal debate style most associated with discussions on current events and philosophy, focusing on moral and ethical implications of significant issues.
Step-by-step explanation:
The type of formal debate that typically discusses current events or philosophy is the Lincoln-Douglas debate. The Lincoln-Douglas debates historically focused on significant issues of the time, such as slavery, which shaped public opinion and influenced subsequent presidential elections. These debates emphasize a one-on-one format where debaters engage in long, structured arguments, often centered around values and philosophical questions relevant to current events. They differ from other forms of debate, like Parliamentary or Public forum, in that they are less about policy specifics and more about the moral and ethical implications of the topic at hand.