Episode 8: Straw and Steel Men – Strength through Strong Opponents

Phil and Steve discuss a common bad-faith argumentation feature, the “straw man” argument. They talk about identifying it, provide examples, and discuss how to deal with it. They also go further and talk about doing the opposite; evoking the “steel man” approach to argument.

Informal Definition of Strawmanning: “Putting words into someone’s mouth then making fun of them for saying them – even though they didn’t.”

• We have a Discord Server! Please join to speak directly with us and other idea-addicts!
• Find more from Phil at HittingEject.com and MakeASkillCheck.com
• Find more from Steve at SteveRosePhD.com
• Reach out to us at ConceptsWithPhilAndSteve@gmail.com

Citations

• Straw Man Argument
• Aunt Sally
• Communism
• Socialism
• Collectivism
• New Forms of Straw Men (Robert Talisse and Scott Aikin)
• Ad Hominem
• Nut Picking
• Can’t find the original “Man builds Stairs; City tears it down” story, but here’s a story where it seems to have worked out OK in Toronto.
• Steel Manning
• 7 Habits of Highly Effective People – Stephen Covey
• Toxic Masculinity
• Water Intoxication
• Emphasized Femininity
• Ben Shapiro—WAP debacle
• Millenials and Avocado Toast & Lattes
• Remit Sethi – I Will Teach You to be Rich
• Elderly and Vaccine Deaths
• Autologous Breast Augmentation
• Spanish Flu Anti-Mask Flu Protests
• Marginal Tax Systems
• Phil says “People do think that” in relation to the tax systems; he’s literally had these conversations with people
• God of the Gaps
• Why there’s still monkeys despite us evolving from it (explanation)
• Simpson’s Reference – The Juice Loosener
• Brain Pickings: Daniel Dennett – How to Disagree with Kindness
• Bertrand Russell
• Brain Pickings; Martine’s Hand-book of Etiquette, and Guide to True Politeness by Arthur Martine