Every king with any self-respect used to have a court jester, some one to play the fool. We may ask ourselves why. In King Lear Shakespeare paints the bitter chronicle of a man's dark journey from ignorance to understanding. It is the fool who seems to foresee the impending disaster. Lear has to become blind in order to see.
In ancient times fools were used to make kings see the other side to a particular issue. The better they were able to do this, by using their wit and humour, the more they were appreciated. Probably one of the most difficult roles to play, as most people like to be told that they are right. Satirists nowadays often play the old jester's role. There is certainly a part to be played in the creative thinking process for the fool, albeit not an easy one (cf. roles & ...) .
It requires courage and confidence to dare express what one really sees. Too many people tend to advise the expected. A phenomenon also called 'group-think'. Group-think occurs when too high a price is placed on the harmony and morale of a group. 'Concurrence-seeking' drives out the realistic appraisal of alternatives. No conflict is allowed to spoil the group-feeling and group members become insensitive to the risks in the strategy most favoured.
In old age King Lear decided to retire and divide his kingdom between his three daughters, giving the best portion to the one who loves him most. Goneril and Regan declare great love, but Cordelia, his favourite, simply says that she loves him as a daughter should. Enraged, Lear banishes her. He turns a deaf ear to his fool's advice and pays dearly.
More recent examples of group-think are the Bay of Pigs invasion, the Falklands war, the Gulf war. Afterwards it was realized what and why things happened the way they did, beforehand a deaf ear was turned to critics or 'fools'.