Playing "Devils Advocate", (is this just proving how clever you are, and how stupid you think the other guy is?)

[Gary O']

As a geologist, I have had to use this “tool”quite often in conferences and have been very successful getting my point across.

Heh, as I wrote 'mostly'

Mostly use by tools

Properly used, it's a great tool

Haven't seen that so much of late

I happily stand corrected on my miscommunication

 

[morgan]

Heh, as I wrote 'mostly'



Properly used, it's a great tool

Haven't seen that so much of late

I happily stand corrected on my miscommunication

All good

 

[Capt Lightning]

Some time ago I saw a poster for a local blues band called "Devil's Advocaat".

 

[Buckeye]

It seems to me that, most of the time, the person claiming to be a "devil's advocate" is, in fact, just being a contentious twit.

 

[grahamg]

Rather than being negative, if used correctly, playing devil’s advocate is a method of looking at issues, questions, or beliefs from a different perspective rather than taking the situation at face value alone. As a geologist, I have had to use this “tool”quite often in conferences and have been very successful getting my point across.

I think in a work situation there may be every reason for using such a tactic, to as you and others have said, try to think of all possible angles to a problem or argument.

 

[grahamg]

I think it depends on how its done. Presenting the other side of an issue can make discussions more interesting.

When I do it I often start out declaring that I am taking the devil's advocate position. I think doing that can really help people sharpen and focus discussion. However disagreement just for the sake of it isn't much fun.

Its true that most things, when presented to you by someone who isn't just trying to get a rise out of you, or wind you up, you can tolerate, or even appreciate alternative points of view.