This Really Bothers Me...

[Peppergirl]

I like to do it, although I don't tend to do it very often.

Truthfully, I've never seen devils-advocacy (at least how *I* define it) from you.

To me, devils advocacy is where someone takes the opposite view but really doesn't believe what they're saying, just to garner a negative reaction or flame war.

Then again, YMMV. I'm sure if you asked 10 people for a definition of it, you'd get 10 different answers.

[BroomJockey]

To me, devils advocacy is where someone takes the opposite view but really doesn't believe what they're saying, just to garner a negative reaction or flame war.

Actually, that's the very definition of trolling. If someone is doing devil's advocacy properly, you'd probably never even know it.

[Peppergirl]

Actually, that's the very definition of trolling. If someone is doing devil's advocacy properly, you'd probably never even know it.

Again, everyone has a different view of the meaning. I stand by my opinion of it, but realize and respect other's view on it.

[Flyndaran]

Again, everyone has a different view of the meaning. I stand by my opinion of it, but realize and respect other's view on it.

Just because someone calls an act X doesn't actually make it X.
Lots of people misuse all sorts of expressions on a daily basis.

[the_std]

But the problem there is that just because you think it means something else, doesn't make it true. Devil's advocates are non-malicious, whereas trolls are. That's the distinction.

[Peppergirl]

But the problem there is that just because you think it means something else, doesn't make it true. Devil's advocates are non-malicious, whereas trolls are. That's the distinction.

I don't believe I said it did. I said I stand by my opinion and I realize and respect other people have different ones.

I don't have to be right.

[Flyndaran]

I don't believe I said it did. I said I stand by my opinion and I realize and respect other people have different ones.

I don't have to be right.

If it's objectively wrong then it isn't a valid opinion.
I can't have an opinion that 2 plus 2 is five.

[blas87]

Then if it's truly meant to be what Boozy and Broom say, people shouldn't have to add the "I want to play Devil's Advocate" before explaining.

I named this thread wrong.

[BroomJockey]

I don't have to be right.

When someone is attempting to explain the reasoning behind something, it often helps if you can agree on definitions. If I say a dog is a furry, 4-legged mammal, and you insist that a dog is hairless, and lays eggs, you don't have to be right, but it severely hampers the conversation. So if you're assuming that Devil's Advocates are doing it maliciously, that's dismissive of my explanation of attempting people to think and evaluate their statements.

So while no, you don't have to be right, that kind of is the whole point of being a Devil's Advocate. To make you realize you're not right, and why, or possibly why you are right, but for the wrong reason. Or even that while your reasoning is okay, why other people have a valid point. To say that devil's advocates are trolls is to dismiss what they say.

[blas87]

I don't believe that everyone who plays devil's advocate is doing it to be a troll or just start something up.

I do believe that there are certain people in my daily life, and people on these boards, who may not be trolls by any means, but just can't seem to find anything better to do than disagree with anything others have to say and it goes on and on and on. Not even with our debating style only. But also on threads regarding customers or people driving or arguments with SOs....

[BroomJockey]

Then if it's truly meant to be what Boozy and Broom say, people shouldn't have to add the "I want to play Devil's Advocate" before explaining.

Actually, they don't have to. The reason they do is because while they may share the position, they'd like to clarify a point which can only be approached from the other side of the issue, or to show that while the position is valid, the other side is valid as well, and to engender some respect for the opposition. After all, it's easy to say "Capitalism is awesome, socialists are nanny-state-wanting weenies." A devil's advocate may want to make clear that they're a capitalist, but that socialists have noble goals as well.

[Peppergirl]

Or even that while your reasoning is okay, why other people have a valid point.

Did I somewhere say that people who have a differing opinion of devils advocacy don't have a valid point?

I

[the_std]

So? This is a debate board. Things like that are supposed to go on. It's fun exploring people's opinions. Only when it gets down to "I'm right, you're wrong" bits does the fun stop.

[Peppergirl]

and to engender some respect for the opposition.

In the case of many people (Rubystars in particular) I have a great deal of respect for her opposing view.

[Peppergirl]

Only when it gets down to "I'm right, you're wrong" bits does the fun stop.

Again, where did I say that, or even insinuate that my opinion is right and everyone elses is wrong?