Use steelmanning to reduce confirmation bias before critiquing an opposing view.
Steelmanning is not politeness. It is quality control for disagreement. Argument maps can include objections, counterarguments, and rebuttals. That only works if the objection is real, not a thin version created for easy dismissal. Bias research explains the pull toward thin objections: confirmation bias rewards evidence that protects our current view. Socratic questioning counters that by asking what a reasonable, informed opponent would say and what evidence would make their concern serious. Map it Put the main claim at the top. Under it, add the reasons that support it, the evidence behind each reason, and the assumption that must be…
Sign up free — one personalized lesson every day, matched to your role and goals.
Already have an account? Sign in