No. 103 · People · Fallacy
Strawman Fallacy
Beating a weaker version of someone’s argument proves nothing about the real one.
In the Almanac
“Wilberforce and Huxley”, 1860 · “T-Mobile US”, 2013
Both stories in full, three ways to use it and where it misleads.
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Questions
What is Strawman Fallacy?
The Strawman Fallacy distorts an opponent's argument into a weaker version that is easy to knock down. In 1860, Bishop Wilberforce argued against evolution, then mocked it with a jibe about ape grandparents.
How do you avoid Strawman Fallacy?
Before you respond to someone, restate their view and check you have it right. Then answer the strongest version of their argument, not the cartoon. Your rebuttal will be fairer and far more convincing.
When does Strawman Fallacy matter?
Strawman Fallacy is one of the 60 mental models for people, the situations where you ask: Why do people act as they do, and how do I work with them? Within that, it belongs to “Negotiating and conflict”, alongside Appeasement, Best Alternative to a Negotiated Agreement and Call Your Bluff.
What is an example of Strawman Fallacy?
Two stories show it at work: Wilberforce and Huxley (1860) and T-Mobile US (2013). Both are told in full in The Mental Models Daily Almanac, which has two stories for each of its 365 models.
Which mental models are related to Strawman Fallacy?
Ad Hominem, Red Herring Fallacy and Theory of Mind. Strawman Fallacy itself comes from fallacy.