>[!abstract] >Steelmanning is the opposite of a straw man argument. It is the practice of applying the rhethorical [[principle of charity]] through addressing the strongest form of the other person’s argument, even if it is not the one they explicitly presented. Creating the strongest form of the opponent’s argument may involve removing flawed assumptions that could be easily refuted or developing the strongest points which counter one’s own position. Developing counters to steel man arguments may produce a stronger argument for one’s own position (Wikipedia, 2025). >[!related] >- **North** (upstream): [[Principle of charity]] >- **West** (similar): — >- **East** (different): — >- **South** (downstream): —