How do you teach your team or students to avoid straw man fallacies?

1 What is a straw man fallacy?

A straw man fallacy occurs when you present a weaker, distorted, or exaggerated version of an opponent's argument, and then attack or refute it as if it were the original one. For example, if someone argues that we should reduce our carbon emissions to combat climate change, a straw man fallacy would be to respond by saying that they want to ban all cars and airplanes and force everyone to live in caves. This is not what the original argument said, but it makes it easier to ridicule and dismiss.

2 Why is it a problem?

A straw man fallacy is a problem because it violates the principle of charity, which is the idea that you should interpret and represent your opponent's argument in the strongest and most reasonable way possible, even if you disagree with it. By doing so, you show respect for your opponent, acknowledge the complexity of the issue, and avoid committing logical fallacies. A straw man fallacy, on the other hand, shows disrespect, oversimplifies the issue, and commits a logical fallacy. It can also backfire, as your opponent or audience may notice your dishonesty and question your credibility.

3 How to recognize it?

Recognizing a straw man fallacy can be done by comparing the original argument to the distorted one and assessing if they match. You can also ask yourself if the distorted argument is relevant, fair, and accurate. Common signs of a straw man fallacy include using extreme or exaggerated examples that do not represent the actual argument, omitting important details or qualifications that make the argument more nuanced or reasonable, changing the topic or shifting the focus from the original argument to an unrelated one, and using emotive or inflammatory language that appeals to emotions instead of logic.

4 How to avoid it?

In order to avoid a straw man fallacy, it is essential to practice the principle of charity and be honest and respectful in your reasoning and communication. To do this, listen carefully and attentively to your opponent's argument, and try to understand their perspective and assumptions. Ask clarifying questions if you are unsure of what they mean or what they are implying. Summarize or paraphrase their argument in your own words, and check if they agree with your interpretation. Address their actual argument, not a weaker or distorted one, and back up your position with relevant and valid evidence and logic. Acknowledge any points of agreement or common ground, as well as any weaknesses or limitations in your own argument.

5 How to teach it?

To help your team or students avoid straw man fallacies, you need to teach them critical thinking and communication skills. To do this, provide examples of straw man fallacies in various contexts and ask them to identify and explain them. Additionally, encourage them to practice the principle of charity by summarizing or paraphrasing their opponent's argument in the strongest and most reasonable way possible and then responding. Also, challenge them to find sources of information that present different views on a topic and compare and contrast them. Furthermore, ask them to reflect on their own biases and assumptions and how they may affect their reasoning and communication. Finally, give them feedback and constructive criticism on their arguments and responses to help improve their logic and clarity.

6 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?