"Steelmanning: How to Discover the Truth and Become an Outstanding Thinker"

"Steelmanning: How to Discover the Truth and Become an Outstanding Thinker"

Introduction:
In the pursuit of truth and personal growth, it is essential to challenge our own beliefs and engage in meaningful dialogue with those who hold opposing views. This article explores the concept of steelmanning, a practice that involves crafting the best possible version of your counterpart's argument. By embracing steelmanning and seeking wisdom, we can uncover the truth and become outstanding thinkers. As John Stuart Mill once said, "He who knows only his own side of the case knows little of that."

Steelmanning: Helping Your Opponent to Discover the Truth:
Steelmanning is the opposite of strawmanning, which involves misrepresenting a position to make it easier to attack. Instead, steelmanning requires us to polish up the very position we do not hold. By creating the best version of our counterpart's argument, we can gain a deeper understanding of their perspective and challenge our own views. Writing down our thoughts and argumentation also helps to structure our thinking and identify any weaknesses in our own position.

Actionable Advice 1: Create the Best Version of Your Counterpart's Argument:
Approach contentious subjects as if you are getting to know a new person or discovering a new culture. The more we feel disagreement with what we discover, the more our views are challenged, and the closer we get to the full picture. Writing down our counterpart's argument helps solidify our own point and ensures that we have considered all aspects of the issue at hand.

Actionable Advice 2: Help Your Counterpart Steelman Their Argument:
By assisting our counterpart in crafting the strongest possible version of their argument, we can view the world through their eyes. This exercise does not require us to agree with their viewpoint, but it allows us to gain a deeper understanding of their perspective. This process brings us another step closer to the truth.

Actionable Advice 3: Argue On Your Counterpart's Behalf:
To truly possess a portion of truth, we must understand the reasons on the opposite side in their most plausible and persuasive form. Motivated reasoning often leads us to justify positions that align with our emotional desires, rather than seeking objective truth. By arguing on our counterpart's behalf, we confront the difficulties that the true view of the subject faces, enabling us to remove biases and approach the truth.

Seeking Wisdom: The Path to Outstanding Thinking:
As Daniel J. Boorstin rightly observed, the illusion of knowledge is the greatest enemy of true knowledge. Ignorance motivates us to pursue intellectual curiosities, but it is essential to continuously refine what we know, even as experts in our fields. Wisdom is not solely about acquiring knowledge but also about applying that knowledge sensibly. Reading extensively and having the temperament to grasp and implement ideas are crucial for becoming wise thinkers, as emphasized by Benjamin Franklin and Charlie Munger.