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. Often the purpose is to spur discussion on a topic, or to ensure that potential pitfalls are fully discussed, before a decision is made. |
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. | 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. | ||
Revision as of 03:36, February 10, 2018
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. Often the purpose is to spur discussion on a topic, or to ensure that potential pitfalls are fully discussed, before a decision is made.
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.