Do you like playing devils advocate, (if so you're probably not my cup of tea!)

grahamg

grahamg

Old codger
Location
South of Manchester, UK
I may have mentioned elsewhere on the forum that I have a friend who likes to play devils advocate, and he sees it as doing me a favour, by putting forward arguments other real detractors might use against me, gives me the chance to revise my thinking.

Here is a dictionary definition or two, and some examples:

devil's advocate (noun)

a person who expresses a contentious opinion in order to provoke debate or test the strength of the opposing arguments.
"the interviewer will need to play devil's advocate, to put the other side's case forward"

HISTORICAL
a person appointed by the Roman Catholic Church to challenge a proposed beatification or canonization, or the verification of a miracle.


https://www.gq-magazine.co.uk/lifestyle/article/devils-advocate

 

Grahamg, we had to do that one time in Social Studies class in high school. We had to take opposing sides and act as if we truly believed our side was right! It was quite an experience tooting the horn for something I particularly didn't agree with. But it taught me how easily someone can be swayed to go on the opposite side of sanity if they're influenced enough. It also taught me that there truly are two sides to a coin. So whenever someone tries to go against what I say, I listen because a part of me remembers Social Studies class. :D
 

Interesting topic. If an argument ensues because people have differing opinions, which we all do, I try to step away. I don't see things as black or white, and often say something that isn't in agreement with what is said. Only having a singular view is like being brainwashed to me. The subtleties and differing experiences people have are more interesting to me than being right. Sometimes we all experience disagreements and sometimes they lead to hurt feelings. I have learned to be as truthful to myself as possible and understand how the difference happens...then I can forget it and move on.
 
I always enjoy a rational, friendly discussion with someone who has a different point of view than I. And I find someone taking a devil's advocate position can make for an informative experience, I have done it.

I am talking about respectful rational logic based discussion. Not just arguing for argument's sake. Getting personal is never acceptable, not to me anyway.
 
I ONCE had a friend who constantly played devil's advocate to me. She never was the least bit supportive and I had to give our friendship up because of it. In a friend I look for supportiveness, loyalty, humor, friendliness and more. I don't mind if they point out some things to me sometimes but Devil's Advocate all the time is not for me either--heck no! Like I need a kick in the teeth all the time!
 
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It's one thing to "play" devil's advocate when the other person is playing along. It's another thing to drag someone else in it. That's just forcing cynicism, skepticism and negativity on someone else.

I try not to get dragged in to the game but sometimes get dragged into the emotion anyway.
 
Ruthanne said:
I ONCE had a friend who constantly played devil's advocate to me. She never was the least bit supportive and I had to give our friendship up because of it. In a friend I look for supportiveness, loyalty, humor, friendliness and more. I don't mind if they point out some things to me sometimes but Devil's Advocate all the time is not for me either--heck no! Like I need a kick in the teeth all the time!
Click to expand...
Playing devil's advocate is very confusing for some because they mistake it with being intelligent, which is very unfortunate.
 
grahamg said:
I may have mentioned elsewhere on the forum that I have a friend who likes to play devils advocate, and he sees it as doing me a favour, by putting forward arguments other real detractors might use against me, gives me the chance to revise my thinking.

Here is a dictionary definition or two, and some examples:

devil's advocate (noun)

a person who expresses a contentious opinion in order to provoke debate or test the strength of the opposing arguments.
"the interviewer will need to play devil's advocate, to put the other side's case forward"

HISTORICAL
a person appointed by the Roman Catholic Church to challenge a proposed beatification or canonization, or the verification of a miracle.


https://www.gq-magazine.co.uk/lifestyle/article/devils-advocate

Click to expand...
"to provoke debate or test the strength of the opposing arguments." This provokes thinking which may be a lost art. It can be done politely. These days people get triggered if others don't believe *in* what they are saying so it can become confrontational. So called facts must be tested in order to prove their validity. This requires the hard questions in my opinion.
 
Don't like confrontation and don't like "badgering" and "provoking". I feel no need to prove my theories to anyone.
But I don't follow other's beliefs. I have my own original thoughts about subjects, often the opposite view of the masses.
There are many perspectives, not just one way of looking at things.
There are so many misconceptions and so much ignorance in the world. I am constantly learning.
 

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