Steelman both sides of an argument
Builds the strongest honest case for each side of a question, including the one you disagree with, then shows where the real disagreement lies.
Question: {{QUESTION}}
My current view: {{MY_VIEW}}
Do not simply agree with me.
1. Write the strongest case FOR, as a thoughtful expert who holds that view would make it.
2. Write the strongest case AGAINST, in the same way.
3. Identify the crux: the 1 to 3 factual or value questions where the two sides really differ.
4. For each crux, what evidence would change a reasonable person's mind.
5. Point out the weakest part of my current view.
Use the best arguments, not the most common ones. Mark claims you are unsure of.Example output
For a 4-day week: productivity held steady in 3 large trials; retention improved. Against: trials were self-selected firms; customer-facing roles struggled. Crux: whether results hold in firms that did not volunteer.
How to use
State MY_VIEW honestly; the point is to test it. Use the crux list to decide what to read next.
Why it works
Models tend to mirror the user's opinion, so the prompt explicitly asks it to find holes in yours. Separating the crux from the arguments shows whether the disagreement is about facts or values.