Single Idea 164

[catalogued under 2. Reason / C. Styles of Reason / 1. Dialectic]

Full Idea

It is legitimate to play the devil's advocate.

Clarification

A 'devil's advocate' deliberately argues for something they don't believe

Gist of Idea

It is legitimate to play the devil's advocate

Source

Socrates (reports of career [c.420 BCE]), quoted by Plato - Phaedrus 272c

Book Reference

Plato: 'Phaedrus and Letters VII and VIII', ed/tr. Hamilton,Walter [Penguin 1973], p.93