playing devil's advocate

[trappedslider]

During an online discussion do you ever find yourself playing devil's advocate? Do you do it on purpose to learn more or just to stir up more discussion just for the hell of it? or is it a combination of the two?

 

[Viking Bastard]

I often do and usually in an attempt to understand people's point of views properly, which can be agonizing to get out of people clearly (despite them announcing their opinions loudly). Although I used to do it more than I do nowadays--I've just gotten a little tired of partaking in internet discussion in general.

 

[Bullgrit]

I don't do it often, and if I do, I announce that's what I'm doing. I don't enjoy contrariness for the sake of argument. (I don't enjoy argument.)

Bullgrit

 

[Janx]

I don't do it often, and if I do, I announce that's what I'm doing. I don't enjoy contrariness for the sake of argument. (I don't enjoy argument.)

Bullgrit

I do the same.

I would consider it trolling to secretly take a position that is deliberately oppositional to another person, just to invoke an argument.

Thus, if I am interested in exploring the boundaries of the actual position, I may say "playing devil's advocate here, what if...."

 

[Jhaelen]

I often do it if I feel that a _valid_ point of view is under-represented in a discussion. I simply don't like it if a minority opinion is shouted down for no good reason. I usually clarify at some point that I'm only playing the devil's advocate, but typically not right from the start.

 

[delericho]

During an online discussion do you ever find yourself playing devil's advocate?

On occasion, although I try not to do it.

Do you do it on purpose to learn more or just to stir up more discussion just for the hell of it? or is it a combination of the two?

Usually, it's because I think a valid opposing position is under-represented and really should be considered. Or, alternately, if the opposing position is being misrepresented.