In a debate, we naturally attack the weaknesses in our opponent’s argument. If there’s a hole in their logic, we pry it open. If their evidence is thin, we point that out. This looks like a rebuttal — but it may actually be a Strawman Argument.
Real rational discourse works the opposite way: Steelmanning — building your opponent’s argument into its strongest possible form, and then engaging with that.
What Is Steelmanning?
Steelmanning is the direct opposite of a strawman argument. If a strawman weakens the other side’s position to make it easier to refute, steelmanning makes that position as strong as possible before engaging with it.
Related: optimize your sleep
As Eliezer Yudkowsky wrote on LessWrong: “To refute someone, you must first be able to explain their position better than they can.”[1]
Why Is Steelmanning Hard?
Steelmanning is difficult because it goes against our psychological grain. We want to defend our own beliefs. Strengthening someone else’s argument feels like making ourselves vulnerable.
Daniel Kahneman’s research shows this is a natural consequence of confirmation bias.[2] We process information in ways that support our existing beliefs. Deliberately processing it in the opposite direction requires conscious effort.
See also: confirmation bias
Applying Steelmanning in the Classroom
I practice steelmanning whenever disagreements arise in faculty meetings. The process:
- Summarize the other person’s position in my own words.
- Show them the summary and ask, “Is this right?”
- Revise until they say, “Yes, that’s it.”
- Seriously wrestle with that strengthened position.
At first, this process felt deeply uncomfortable. But something surprising happened: after truly understanding the other person’s position, I changed my own stance on multiple occasions. And even when I held my ground, my arguments became significantly stronger.
The Practical Benefits of Steelmanning
In Philip Tetlock’s research, the best forecasters consistently took opposing viewpoints seriously.[3] They always considered scenarios where their own predictions could be wrong first.
Practical benefits of steelmanning:
- You can test whether your own argument is genuinely strong.
- You understand the other person’s real concerns, leading to better solutions.
- When your conversation partner feels truly understood, their defensiveness drops.
Try one thing starting today: when a strong disagreement arises, before you push back, say out loud, “What is the strongest version of the other person’s argument?” That single sentence can completely transform the quality of a conversation.
Disclaimer: This article is for educational and informational purposes only. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider with any questions about a medical condition.
Your Next Steps
- Today: Pick one idea from this article and try it before bed tonight.
- This week: Track your results for 5 days — even a simple notes app works.
- Next 30 days: Review what worked, drop what didn’t, and build your personal system.
Last updated: 2026-03-16
About the Author
Written by the Rational Growth editorial team. Our health and psychology content is informed by peer-reviewed research, clinical guidelines, and real-world experience. We follow strict editorial standards and cite primary sources throughout.
References
- Yudkowsky, E. (2007). The Sequences. LessWrong.
- Kahneman, D. (2011). Thinking, Fast and Slow. Farrar, Straus and Giroux.
- Tetlock, P., & Gardner, D. (2015). Superforecasting. Crown Publishers.
- Caplan, B. (2011). The Ideological Turing Test. EconLog.
- Taleb, N. N. (2012). Antifragile. Random House.