Difference between revisions of "Devil's advocate"
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A '''Devil's advocate''' (in [[Latin]], ''Advocatus diaboli'') is a person who takes a position for the sake of argument, rather than out of conviction. | A '''Devil's advocate''' (in [[Latin]], ''Advocatus diaboli'') is a person who takes a position for the sake of argument, rather than out of conviction. | ||
| − | Originally, devil's advocates were appointed by the [[Roman Catholic Church]] to argue against the [[canonization]] of individuals <ref>http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/01168b.htm</ref>. The post was abolished by Pope [[John Paul II]], allowing him to create and [[beatification|beatify]] an | + | Originally, devil's advocates were appointed by the [[Roman Catholic Church]] to argue against the [[canonization]] of individuals <ref>http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/01168b.htm</ref>. The post was abolished by Pope [[John Paul II]], allowing him to create and [[beatification|beatify]] an unprecedented number of [[saint]]s during his pontiffship. |
In the realm of [[philosophy]], a famous devil's advocate was Gaunilo, a monk who challenged [[Anselm of Canterbury]]'s [[ontological argument]] for the existence of God, arguing on behalf of "the fool". | In the realm of [[philosophy]], a famous devil's advocate was Gaunilo, a monk who challenged [[Anselm of Canterbury]]'s [[ontological argument]] for the existence of God, arguing on behalf of "the fool". | ||
Revision as of 20:27, November 1, 2008
A Devil's advocate (in Latin, Advocatus diaboli) is a person who takes a position for the sake of argument, rather than out of conviction.
Originally, devil's advocates were appointed by the Roman Catholic Church to argue against the canonization of individuals [1]. The post was abolished by Pope John Paul II, allowing him to create and beatify an unprecedented number of saints during his pontiffship.
In the realm of philosophy, a famous devil's advocate was Gaunilo, a monk who challenged Anselm of Canterbury's ontological argument for the existence of God, arguing on behalf of "the fool".
A fictional example of a devil's advocate is Panurge in Francois Rabelais' Gargantua and Pantagruel[2], who argues (among other things) that it is good for him to remain in debt, it being better to give than to receive, allowing his creditors to gain merit thereby; moreover, his creditors pray for his continued well-being; moreover, that the very fabric of the Universe is held together by a cement of debt, etc.
References
- ↑ http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/01168b.htm
- ↑ http://www.gutenberg.org/etext/1200 Text of Gargantua and Pantagruel at Project Gutenberg.