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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.

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.

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".

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''<ref>http://www.gutenberg.org/etext/1200 Text of ''Gargantua and Pantagruel'' at Project Gutenberg.</ref>, 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.

A fictional example of a devil's advocate is Panurge in [[Francois Rabelais]]' ''Gargantua and Pantagruel'',<ref>http://www.gutenberg.org/etext/1200 Text of ''Gargantua and Pantagruel'' at Project Gutenberg.</ref> 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 ==

== References ==