Continuing the historical theme of the legal profession.

Who is the devil's advocate?

No, he is not a hero of a crime drama and not a role in debates.

The devil's advocate is a completely real, once official position. And not just anywhere, but in the Vatican.

From Latin advocatus diaboli – "defender of the devil".

This term was used to refer to one of the participants in the process of 'canonization', whose job was to… criticize potential saints.

When the church considered a candidacy for canonization, this person was tasked not with praising, but rather – looking for weaknesses, inconvenient facts, and controversial episodes from the candidate's life.

In fact, the devil's advocate was the voice of doubt:

– Did this person really live without sin?

– Were there no exaggerations here?

– Could this be mere accidental fame?

All to ensure that the decision about sainthood was not hasty.

Today, this term is used in a broader sense.

The devil's advocate is someone who intentionally takes the opposing position to test the logic, resilience, and persuasiveness of arguments.

And although the position was officially abolished in 1983, the essence remains.