Iron Man vs. Straw Man: Why You Should Build Strong Arguments for Ideas You Disagree With

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“The test of a first rate intelligence is the ability to hold two opposed ideas in the mind at the same time, and still retain the ability to function.” F. Scott Fitzgerald



When we find ourselves in an argument or debate with someone, we often become more focused on “winning” the argument rather than actually discovering the truth.

This is a very common problem, because we often cling to our beliefs and we’re willing to defend them at all costs. Even when presented with facts that go against our views, we know from cognitive psychology that we usually end up just hardening our beliefs and clinging to them more tightly.

A big part of it is ego-driven. It doesn’t feel good to admit when we are wrong or mistaken, so we’d rather find ways to keep telling ourselves that we are right, and prove to ourselves that we are indeed “smarter” and “better” than the other person.

While winning arguments can feel good temporarily, it’s more important that we are concerned with being truthful and honest with ourselves.

One popular tactic when we try to “win” an argument is to misrepresent someone’s viewpoint to make it seem weaker and less valid. This is known as a straw man – the basic idea is to refute a point that seems similar to a person’s beliefs, but is actually a mischaracterization or exaggeration of what the person is saying.

We build up “straw man” arguments so that we can more easily knock them down and appear that we have defeated the other person’s viewpoint. But “straw man” arguments are a logical fallacy that often hurts our ability to get to the truth.

If we are earnestly concerned with the truth rather than simply “winning,” what we should really aim to do is build up “iron man” arguments rather than “straw man” arguments.



Build an “Iron Man” Argument for Things You Disagree With

An “iron man” argument is the opposite of a “straw man” argument. Instead of presenting someone’s argument in its weakest form, we should aim to present someone’s argument in its strongest form.

To do this, we have to first assume the best of people. Instead of brushing off someone’s argument and thinking the person is inherently “stupid,” “evil,” or “dysfunctional,” we should assume the best, and give the person the benefit of the doubt that they are relatively “smart,” “well-intentioned,” and “sane.”

Too often I see people attack other’s character when they have a heated disagreement with someone. In its extreme form, people sometimes accuse others of having “mental disorders” whenever someone sees things slightly differently than they do. This is not only toxic to healthy dialogue, but it actually makes it impossible for you to learn something new.

The attitude that someone you disagree with must be “stupid,” “evil,” or “dysfunctional” automatically blocks you from being able to understand another person’s viewpoint and where they are coming from with their beliefs.

The first step toward building an “iron man” argument is to understand that you can disagree with people without thinking they are dumb or bad people. And you can disagree with a viewpoint, but still understand why someone may think that way.

As F. Scott Fitzgerald said, “The test of a first rate intelligence is the ability to hold two opposed ideas in the mind at the same time, and still retain the ability to function.”

Ultimately, it comes down to being able to see things from multiple perspectives. And until you can properly empathize with another person and see things through their eyes, you likely can’t fully understand where they are coming from.



Healthy tips for building an “iron man” argument for ideas you disagree with:

Give people the benefit of the doubt – This is a basic fundamental step, but you have to first go into an argument or debate with the expectation that someone is generally good, sincere, and rational (in their own way, even if you think they are wrong).

– This is a basic fundamental step, but you have to first go into an argument or debate with the expectation that someone is generally good, sincere, and rational (in their own way, even if you think they are wrong). Be willing to learn something new – Often times when people have a heated disagreement it’s because they both have different information than one another. It’s possible this person has facts or evidence that you weren’t previously aware of. And even if that still doesn’t mean they are correct in their overall beliefs, it may help give you a better idea of why they believe what they do.

– Often times when people have a heated disagreement it’s because they both have different information than one another. It’s possible this person has facts or evidence that you weren’t previously aware of. And even if that still doesn’t mean they are correct in their overall beliefs, it may help give you a better idea of why they believe what they do. Ask genuine questions – If someone says something that doesn’t make sense, ask them to clarify what they mean. Too often we jump to assumptions when someone says something that we don’t understand, so it’s important we give people the opportunity to further explain themselves before we rush to judgment. (Keep in mind, you’ve probably experienced times where it’s difficult to explain your own beliefs).

– If someone says something that doesn’t make sense, ask them to clarify what they mean. Too often we jump to assumptions when someone says something that we don’t understand, so it’s important we give people the opportunity to further explain themselves before we rush to judgment. (Keep in mind, you’ve probably experienced times where it’s difficult to explain your own beliefs). Make note of “good points” – If someone brings up something that you acknowledge is a good point (or something you never considered before), be sure to tell them so they know when they are moving in a direction that makes sense to you. One common debate tactic in general is to always start off a response by acknowledging what you agree with. This is healthy for finding common ground and building bridges between different viewpoints.



– If someone brings up something that you acknowledge is a good point (or something you never considered before), be sure to tell them so they know when they are moving in a direction that makes sense to you. One common debate tactic in general is to always start off a response by acknowledging what you agree with. This is healthy for finding common ground and building bridges between different viewpoints. Play devil’s advocate – Purposely think from the opposite perspective of what you believe in. How would you argue that position? What type of evidence would convince you that it’s true? Use this “devil’s advocate” perspective to enhance your opponent’s argument, expand on their points, and strengthen their perspective as strong as you can make it.

– Purposely think from the opposite perspective of what you believe in. How would you argue that position? What type of evidence would convince you that it’s true? Use this “devil’s advocate” perspective to enhance your opponent’s argument, expand on their points, and strengthen their perspective as strong as you can make it. Expose yourself to diverse news sources – One common way we get fixated on certain beliefs is that we often only expose ourselves to news and media sources that confirm what we already believe in. By reading or watching news that already confirms our worldview, we become more narrow-minded and forget that other viewpoints exist. If you consume a lot of news and media, make sure to follow an information diet that gives you a diverse range of opinions and perspectives. This will often lead you to have a more balanced and well-rounded viewpoint overall.

– One common way we get fixated on certain beliefs is that we often only expose ourselves to news and media sources that confirm what we already believe in. By reading or watching news that already confirms our worldview, we become more narrow-minded and forget that other viewpoints exist. If you consume a lot of news and media, make sure to follow an information diet that gives you a diverse range of opinions and perspectives. This will often lead you to have a more balanced and well-rounded viewpoint overall. Take into account personal experience – Keep in mind any personal experiences or background information that may lead a person to their beliefs. For many people, their core beliefs are heavily influenced by their own past experiences. By taking these past experiences into account, you gain more insight into why someone may believe something very different than you do.

– Keep in mind any personal experiences or background information that may lead a person to their beliefs. For many people, their core beliefs are heavily influenced by their own past experiences. By taking these past experiences into account, you gain more insight into why someone may believe something very different than you do. Deescalate heated situations – When it comes to discussing heated and controversial topics, it’s natural for emotions to run high and for people to get very passionate and defensive. Know how to defuse heated arguments and bring people into a more comfortable state. In general, the less defensive people get, the more open and honest they will be with their beliefs, and the easier it will be for them to explain themselves clearly.

– When it comes to discussing heated and controversial topics, it’s natural for emotions to run high and for people to get very passionate and defensive. Know how to defuse heated arguments and bring people into a more comfortable state. In general, the less defensive people get, the more open and honest they will be with their beliefs, and the easier it will be for them to explain themselves clearly. Understand differences in values and morality – One common trap when trying to understand different belief systems is that we often try to make sense of them strictly through our own values and moral framework. However, to best understand someone’s viewpoint, we often need to be able to see things through a different moral lens and keep in mind people have different values, sensibilities, and moral taste buds that shape their beliefs. When you temporarily let go of your own belief system, you can step back and examine an argument and find that it makes logical sense given a certain set of values.

– One common trap when trying to understand different belief systems is that we often try to make sense of them strictly through our own values and moral framework. However, to best understand someone’s viewpoint, we often need to be able to see things through a different moral lens and keep in mind people have different values, sensibilities, and moral taste buds that shape their beliefs. When you temporarily let go of your own belief system, you can step back and examine an argument and find that it makes logical sense given a certain set of values. Try your best, even though it’s difficult – Our psychology is built in a way that often protects us from opposing viewpoints and admitting when we are wrong. Try your best to see things from another person’s perspective even when it may be very difficult and frustrating. The ultimate goal is to try to see things from another perspective as best as you can, and keep in mind that you don’t have to agree with anything they say to necessarily understand their side.

Building “iron man” arguments for opposing views is no easy task. It’s not natural for us to want to argue against things we normally believe in.

However, the next time you find yourself arguing or debating with someone, try to keep this “iron man” concept in mind and keep it in contrast with building “straw mans” and simply misrepresenting someone’s beliefs so that you can easily knock them down.

The truth is that you become a sharper and more critical thinker when you learn to build “iron man” arguments, because when you are aware of the best arguments against your beliefs, that makes your beliefs that much stronger.

Or, who knows, you might actually change your mind on something.



Ideological Turing Test

One great way to construct arguments for ideas that you don’t believe in is to consider the “Ideological Turing Test.”

In philosophy of mind, the “Turing Test” is a hypothetical test that if you are interacting with a machine and you can’t tell the difference between it and a conscious person, then that’s proof that the machine has consciousness just like a human being. (If you’ve ever seen the movie Ex Machina, then you’re familiar with this concept).

In a similar way, the basic idea behind the “Ideological Turing Test” is to be able to make arguments for opposing viewpoints in such a way that someone wouldn’t be able to tell the difference between you and an actual supporter of those views.

How do you know when you’ve accurately represented an opposing viewpoint? When you can make arguments for it so seemingly and effortlessly that people can’t tell those aren’t your actual views.

This is a great test to keep in mind when you’re learning about beliefs that you don’t agree with and the core arguments that underly those beliefs. If you can pass this test, then it shows you’re a well-rounded and critical thinker in a particular subject.

By practicing the “Ideological Turing Test” we give other ideas a fair shake by forcing ourselves to explain them as if they were our own beliefs. And by doing this, we sharpen our thinking on an issue and give ourselves a more balanced and intelligent perspective.



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