%% date:: [[2021-02-22]], [[2022-12-22]] %% # [[Steel man arguments]] Steel man arguments are the opposite of [[Straw man arguments]]: they involve deliberately helping your opponent by strengthening their argument before you refute it. Steel man argumentation is ultimately more persuasive then straw man argumentation if it is successful. It's also more charitable as it rises above weaknesses in delivery or word choice. To construct the "steel man": - Express an opinion in the best possible way. - Acknowledge the most popular argument against it, and show why it's not valid. - Preempt criticisms.