**Steel-manning** is the practice of reconstructing someone else's argument in its strongest, most persuasive form—even stronger than they may have expressed it themselves — before offering your critique or response. It's the opposite of Straw-manning, where you misrepresent someone's argument to make it easier to attack.
# Definition > **Steel-manning** means articulating your opponent’s position in the most clear, accurate, and charitable way possible—so much so that they might say, “Yes, that’s exactly what I meant, and better than I said it.”
# Why It's Valuable 1. **Promotes Intellectual Honesty**: Demonstrates you're genuinely interested in truth, not just winning an argument. 2. **Builds Trust and Goodwill**: Makes the other person feel heard and respected. 3. **Improves Your Thinking**: Deepens your understanding of opposing views, often improving your own. 4. **Strengthens Dialogue**: Leads to more constructive conversations rather than defensive debates. 5. **Reduces Polarization**: Helps bridge divides in polarized discussions by focusing on shared understanding.
# A Brief History The term "steel-manning" was popularized as a rhetorical concept in contrast to "straw-manning." Philosopher Daniel Dennett outlined a version of this in his four rules for criticising with kindness.
The actual term seems to have gained traction through rationalist and online debate communities like LessWrong, where rigorous thought and charitable dialogue are emphasized.
# Steel-Manning Recipe: A Step-by-Step Guide
**1. Listen Deeply** * Pay full attention without interrupting. * Take notes if necessary to capture the structure of their argument.
**2. Ask Clarifying Questions**
If anything is unclear, ask neutral questions like: > “Do you mean that…?” > “Could you clarify what you mean by…?”
**3. Restate Their Argument**
Paraphrase their position as clearly and charitably as possible. Use phrases like: > “So if I understand you correctly, you’re saying that…” > “Your main point seems to be…”
**4. Seek Confirmation**
Invite them to affirm or correct your summary: > “Is that a fair representation of your view?” > “Would you agree that’s a good version of what you’re arguing?”
**5. Strengthen the Argument** - Add missing context or supporting points they might have overlooked. - Suggest a stronger version without sarcasm.
**6. Respond Respectfully**
Once steel-manning is complete and confirmed, offer your critique or contrasting view, engaging with the best version of their argument — not a caricature.
**7. Reflect and Iterate**
* If the other person feels misrepresented, revise your steel-man. * Keep the tone collaborative, not adversarial.
# See also