Do you like playing "devils advocate"?

Question

i dont mean this religiously, i mean "arguing the opposite point" just to give someone biased to think about.. not necessarily that you believe in it, just to get someone to look at something from a different point of view?

Answer 1

yes, it's funny

Answer 2

I actually do it to have fun, cause I know I'm smarter than lots of people... so it's fun to see how they start to believe what I say even if I see it's false...

I mean I don't do it everytime... just sometimes... to have fun u know...

Answer 3

The additional dimension from looking at the matter from a different angle is quite helpful in understanding the knowledge behind difficult subjects.

It is similar to having two eyes to see the slightly off pictures so the brain could rationalize more of the actual condition of reality.

Answer 4

Most of the time, just to help them on track. Point a finger in the right direction.  Sometimes we cannot see the woods for the trees!  Other times our minds get a little fragmented from overload!

Answer 5

Oh yes, I do it all the time, much to the irritation of my friends!

One (now ex) girlfriend just didn't get it, she could not understand that I could put forward an argument that I did not actually hold with myself, and used to get really mad at me!

Answer 6

who me...???...nah..i wouldnt do that...nah..not me...

Answer 7

Oh yes, very much so.

I think it is very dangerous when an idea becomes first the majority view, then the consensus, and then the convention where any variation on it is taboo.

At the point an idea gets a consensus, someone must step in and put the opposite view, however unpopular.

The price of freedom is eternal vigilance!

Answer 8

Unfortunately not - I am not clever enough.

I put all of  my attention into trying to understand my own point of view and others - People being unreal even for a good cause sends me in a spin of confusion and I feel enormously betrayed.

I can see that being congruent in these ironic times is childlike but its the only way that I can cope psychologically.

I can 'get' the humour and good intention in it but like 'teasing ' in the same vein, I  hate having it done to me and feel disrespected - I cant take people playing with my head and would hate to do it to others - so I stay safe.  

Answer 9

Most of the time no, I despise it, I wish it didn't seemingly need such. However too many people feel safe in the cocoon of safety they have sought solace in and this ultimately will be taken from them, only so they may know themselves on a deeper level, and so with that, all karma accumulated, never was. So to prepare the way best I can for that scenario, sometimes devil's advocate is needed.

Answer 10

Yes. not to irk someone or provoke, but because often I can see all sides of a stance or argument.

Answer 11

I do it only if I have to protect my friends from making mistakes.

I try to show them (by playing devil's advocate") the opposite view so that they get prepared to face the controversy.  I am just trying to balance their point of view. It is better to hear some things from a caring friend and while they are safe, than hear it from others, being jeopardized .