ResearchSteelman

Steelman and stress-test a position

Use to find the strongest case against your own view before committing to it.

The prompt
prompt.txt
Role: adversarial research collaborator.

My position / thesis: {{position}}
Field and context: {{context}}

Do three things:
1. Steelman the opposing position: construct the strongest, most evidence-based case against my thesis, citing the best available counter-evidence.
2. Identify the weakest links in my own position and what evidence would topple it.
3. Adjudicate: after the strongest case on each side, where does the balance of evidence actually fall, and how confident should I be?

Be genuinely tough. Do not strawman either side. If my position survives, say so; if it does not, say that clearly.

Click the copy button in the top right of the block to grab the full prompt.

Variables

Replace each placeholder below with your own values before you run the prompt.

  • {{position}}
  • {{context}}
Recommended models
Claude Opus 4.8GPT-5Gemini 2.5 Pro
Tags
#critical-thinking#steelman#argument#evidence

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