LEARN Someone who wants to understand the strongest case against their own position before defending or refining it 107 words
Identify the Strongest Counterargument to a Position You Hold
The argument you are least prepared for is the best version of the one you disagree with. This forces a proper steelman: the opposing view as its actual proponents hold it, the empirical assumption your position most depends on, the values someone reasonable might reject, and a concrete case where the other side is simply right. Not to change your mind, but to stop being surprised.
I hold the following position: {POSITION_STATEMENT}
Help me steelman the opposing view. Specifically:
1. Construct the strongest version of the argument against my position, stated as its proponents would state it, not as a caricature
2. Identify the empirical assumption in my position that, if wrong, would most undermine it
3. Identify the values assumption in my position that someone with different but reasonable values would reject
4. Give me one concrete example or case where the opposing view turns out to be correct or more useful than my own
Do not tell me the opposing view is right. Do tell me where my position is weakest. ⚠ human-in-the-loop: you are responsible for the results of using this prompt, not us.