I've heard this saying before and I'm not sure what it means. Can somebody clarify this for me? What does it mean when someone plays "the devil's advocate?"
2006-07-27 16:33:43 · 22 answers · asked by chrstnwrtr 7 in Society & Culture ➔ Other - Society & Culture
OK, amateur hour is over, here's the real answer --ten points, please.
DEBATE is a CONTRACT between to parties that they will seek the truth together by following certian rules. If everyone present or everyone empowered to vote agrees, there are times when a debate is desired ANYWAY to clarify the question or see if there are any significant "holes" in the argument (Why? Who wants to agree unanimously to foolishness that should have been spotted!)
So someone talented at debate and argument can take the other side just to test the soundness of the proposition and argument.
ORIGINALLY, the devil's adevocate (Latin advocatus diaboli) was a canon lawyer assigned by the Roman Catholic church to argue AGAINST canonization (the chief step to sainthood) specifically to avoid having petty or ridiculous saints.
See: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Devil's_advocate
2006-07-27 16:43:41 · answer #1 · answered by urbancoyote 7 · 2⤊ 3⤋
It means taking an opposing viewpoint to the speaker's. If you were to put forth an idea and I said "Let me play the Devil's Advocate" I would then give you points of how your idea might fail or create a worse situation. It means being the voice of the devil in essence. Whether or not you agree with the original idea. It's a means of looking at something from different angles.
2006-07-27 16:38:15 · answer #2 · answered by sparkletina 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It means that you take a position in an argument specifically to state the opposite view. It does not mean that you necessarily believe in that view.
The phrase comes from the Catholic Church. When a person was being considered for sainthood, the Devil's Advocate was given the task of stating the reasons why a person should not be canonized. This role was abolished by Pope John Paul II in 1983.
2006-07-27 16:37:53 · answer #3 · answered by Claude 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋
It comes from Vatican City. When popes are nominated, an unknown "Devil's Advocate" is chosen. This guy digs up all the **** hidden in each of the nominee's closets so as to avoid a scandal if they're elected. From that plating the devil's advocate means to dig up secret stuff from someone's past.
2006-07-27 16:38:04 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
To play the devil's advocate is to purposely bring up all of the bad possibilities in a situation to show someone something.
2006-07-27 16:38:36 · answer #5 · answered by LaCosaMasBella 3 · 3⤊ 1⤋
American Heritage® Dictionary: Description of devil's advocate
NOUN: 1. One who argues against a cause or position, not as a committed opponent but simply for the sake of argument or to determine the validity of the cause or position.
2006-07-27 16:38:23 · answer #6 · answered by 'Barn 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
To argue the other side of a discussion, simply for the sake of argument. A devil's advocate will try to liven up a dull conversation by disagreeing with what other people like, just to get the conversation rolling.
2006-07-27 16:38:06 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
it means to adopt the opposite side from someone in an argument and argue against that person, even if you don't really believe in the position you're taking. it serves to challenge the other person's beliefs and arguments to make sure they are strong.
i believe the phrase originated in the Catholic practice of appointing a priest to raise all possible arguments against making someone a saint - that priest was called the devil's advocate.
2006-07-27 16:38:53 · answer #8 · answered by JoeSchmoe06 4 · 2⤊ 1⤋
It means to take the other side for the sake of argument. If you said you wanted to move to Mongolia, I might say well what about the cold weather, lack of shopping, bad food, etc. it doesn't mean I don't want you to go, just that I am giving you something to think about.
2006-07-27 16:36:49 · answer #9 · answered by thrill88 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
According to Britanica and a wee bit of common sense. It mean to defend a person you know whose commited a crime/injustice and with holding any if all information that may or could infringe that person and get him a guilty sentence. in other words, you play the sinner into a saint with false testimony and eveidence.
2006-07-27 16:39:57 · answer #10 · answered by ? 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋