Do you play the DEVIL'S ADVOCATE?

[Robinrs]

Dictionary description of a devil's advocate:

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.

My sister is the DA of the century! Whatever point you make she has to take the opposite position just to take the subject from conversation to debate!

Sound like you or anyone you know?

 

[honeywolf7]

No...I've tried but I can't do it.

 

[Towncrier]

Are you kidding? It sounds like me. I think that's why I'm not invited to as many engineering meetings anymore.

 

[Helopoh]

I would have to say yes I have tried... I have no idea if I accomplished the task though

 

[Rajah]

Sometimes I do. If I'm in a bad mood, I tend to do that without thinking about it. If I'm not in a bad mood, I tend to play DA when trying to test the validity of a position (to quote the definition) or to just tease the other person.

 

[helenabear]

I love to do it! I used to do it all the time in college with some of the roommates of my now DH. I loved it, they hated coming up with answers to my thoughts/questions I think it is a good thing to do from time to time... helps everyone think more about what they are "arguing" about too

 

[nativetxn]

Nope

 

[The Mystery Machine]

Not only do I do it...but I can DA from many points of view...lol.

 

[cinmell]

I don't but my husband does and it drives me nuts!

 

[SuiteDisney]

Gene does this every time I get upset about something and when he does it, I'd like to strangle him!

 

[Goofyposter]

One who argues against a cause or position, not as a committed opponent but simply for the sake of argument

it sure as 'bonk' isn't me!....if find such people...people with whom I generally don't wish to spend any time near!

call me 'goofy'....but I think life's just too short to do that!

 

[caitycaity]

i never thought of it as simply for the sake of argument. i do it to get others to see another way of thinking about an issue. i tink it encourages open-mindedness.

 

[believe]

My family is like this....especially during election time when my Dad is trying to find out who you are voting for.

 

[Cindy B]

My son does! I think he is a well versed attorney, in an eight year old body!

 

[Steve H.]

Depends on who you ask?

 

[snoopy]

My son does! I think he is a well versed attorney, in an eight year old body!

Cindy, do you think its possible that our 8-year olds are long lost twins?

 

[Saffron]

No, I don't, but I sometimes like when other people do it with me, IF they tell me ahead of time what they are doing and they are just trying to get me to see things from another perspective.

But I have to admit, SOMETIMES if there is a unanimous vote for or against something, I vote the opposite, just to be a stinker.

 

[Cindy B]

Originally posted by snoopy
Cindy, do you think its possible that our 8-year olds are long lost twins?

They could very well be, Snoops.. My daughter is getting in the act as well...

My DH says he can see the nameplate on the office suite now... B****** & B****** (our last name)-- Attorneys at Law.

When they both start arguing... he says.."Save it for law school!"


My son actually had to go to arbitration for a matter, he GOT UP from the bench illustrated what happened (he got hurt), addressed the panel (three abitration mediators), and then stated what happened.


Our attorney, just shook his head, and said to the panel... "He's going to take your jobs someday"

 

[coqui]

I don't do it for argument's sake but when people are so set in their ways I do it on occasion.

 

[tc]

Not me, but Stephen does. Not for arguments sake, but to make sure all sides of the issue are looked at. I agree with caitycaity, it promotes open-mindedness. Sometimes it's really annoying, but, for the most part, it serves a purpose. It was really good when our girls were teenagers. He had a great way of making everyone, including himself, look at issues from other's perspectives. Sometimes, though, I like to keep my old, close-minded thoughts. Less stressful, and comfortable. But, I know that's wrong.