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You don't engage in Steelmanning to be nice. It is for your benefit. Demonstrating that you fully understand an argument better than your opponent, and being a
by apostacy 4y ago
You don't engage in Steelmanning to be nice. It is for your benefit.
Demonstrating that you fully understand an argument better than your opponent, and being able to charitably represent them, just makes it all the more devastating when you knock them down.
If you really disagree with an argument vehemently, then you should steelman it. Strawmanning makes you look dishonest and fragile, only capable of attacking a weakened form of your opposition.
If someone who has really abhorrent opinions tries making their argument, then you are letting them win if you strawman them.
- spacemanmatt 4y agoIf you're so convinced that steelmanning is for the great benefit of everyone then why are you arguing with me instead of steelmanning my perspective? Or is not every position worthy of steelmanning?
- watwut 4y agoThat is not how debates work at all.
- spacemanmatt 4y agoI do not think anyone will disagree with you. I don't think debates are about communication, but I think some people here might be trying to address communication tactics.