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Steelmanning

P005 • Epistemic Principles

Also known as: Steel Man, Principle of Charity

Difficulty 3/10Medium-High LoadRare

Definition

The practice of addressing the strongest possible version of an opponent's argument, rather than a weakened or distorted version. The opposite of strawmanning: you construct the best case for the other side before attempting to refute it.

Rationale

Steelmanning ensures intellectual honesty and productive discourse. If you can only defeat a weak version of an argument, you haven't actually defeated it. Engaging the strongest form either reveals genuine flaws in the position or genuine flaws in your own thinking.

Examples

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Scope of Applicability

  1. Before refuting any argument
  2. When you notice yourself using words like 'just' or 'merely' about opponents
  3. When an argument seems obviously wrong - that's often a sign you're missing something
  4. When preparing for debates or discussions

Hazards

  • Steelmanning a position into something its proponents don't actually believe
  • Using steelmanning as an excuse to not take a position yourself
  • Conflating 'strongest version' with 'most sympathetic framing'
  • Steelmanning bad-faith actors who will not reciprocate

Related Concepts

Ideological Turing TestStraw ManGaslighting

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F113 Straw ManP029 Seeking Disconfirmation
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