Summary of the Key Points
This article introduces a thinking method called “Bidirectional Iron Man Argumentation,” which originated from logic and has been adapted by the author into a Prompt tool for interacting with AI. By having the AI first reinforce both sides of an issue (rather than simply echoing the user’s viewpoint), it helps us identify the real problems, core disagreements, and key variables, ultimately leading to more accurate answers. The author also demonstrates the practical effectiveness of this method using an example from choosing a company’s anniversary.
1. Iron Man Argumentation: A “Reinforced” Version of the “Scarecrow Fallacy”
To understand Iron Man Argumentation, one must first be aware of the “Scarecrow谬acy”—where someone during a debate deliberately distorts your arguments to make them seem foolish (for example, if you say “Mobile phones are expensive,” they might respond with “You’re looking down on domestic products”) and then attacks that distorted version. Iron Man Argumentation does the opposite: it enhances the opponent’s argument to make it more complete and logical—almost as strong as the original argument—and then uses it in the discussion. For instance, if you oppose working overtime, Iron Man Argumentation would first identify the strongest arguments in favor of it (such as receiving bonuses for completing projects or improving skills) before engaging in a debate.
2. Why Iron Man Argumentation Can Solve AI’s “Flattery Problem”
Current AI systems have a common flaw: they tend to agree with users to avoid offending them. For example, if you ask whether to resign, the AI might simply say “It depends on your situation” without pointing out potential risks (such as the consequences of quitting without a new job). Iron Man Argumentation forces the AI to present the counterarguments, forcing you to confront issues you might want to avoid. For instance, if you’re considering using a company’s public account anniversary as the celebration date, the AI will highlight the strongest reasons against it (such as employees not having experienced that era and thus lacking connection to the event).
3. The Bidirectional Iron Man Prompt: Four Steps to Dig Out the Essence of an Issue
The author designed a four-step prompt process with clear purposes for each step:
- Step 1: Restate the issue: This helps you distinguish between what you’re asking on the surface and what you really want to solve. For example, if you ask “Which anniversary should we choose,” the AI might break it down into “What values do we want to convey through this celebration? When do employees feel most connected with this date?”
- Step 2: Reinforce both sides: This involves presenting the strongest arguments for and against your idea. For choosing the public account anniversary, the reasons could be “It represents the beginning of our company’s philosophy,” while the opposition might be “New employees haven’t been involved, so they won’t feel connected.”
- Step 3: Identify key variables: In complex issues, there is often a critical factor that determines the outcome. For example, the key variable for choosing an anniversary could be “What do we want employees to remember about the company in ten years?”
- Step 4: Ask the core question: The AI forces you to answer a crucial question that reveals the true solution. For instance, “In ten years, with 500 employees, what do you want them to remember about our company?” Answering this question directly leads to the right decision.
4. Practical Example: Using Bidirectional Iron Man Argumentation to Choose an Anniversary
When choosing an anniversary for the author’s company, three options were considered: the public account’s founding date (February 2023), the IP company’s founding date (2024), and the virtual media company’s founding date (2025). After using the Bidirectional Iron Man Argumentation, the AI asked a key question: “In ten years, with 500 employees, what do you want them to remember about our company?” The author answered, “The sincere connections between people in the AI era.” This led them to choose the public account’s founding date because it represented the core values of the company. This process shifted the focus from simply choosing a date to clearly defining the values they wanted to communicate.
5. Not Only for AI, but Also a Useful Thinking Tool for Everyone
This method is not only useful for interacting with AI but also for making decisions in everyday life. For example, if you’re debating whether to change jobs:
- Restate the issue: “Am I really worried about lack of growth in my current job, or is the new job less stable?”
- Reinforce both sides: Consider the pros of changing (such as career opportunities) and cons (such as an unstable industry).
- Identify key variables: “Will the new job’s growth potential outweigh the risks of instability?”
- Ask yourself the core question: “What do I want to become in three years? Can my current job help me achieve that?”
This approach provides a deeper analysis and makes it easier to find the true answer.
In summary, the essence of Bidirectional Iron Man Argumentation is to force you to consider issues comprehensively, avoiding biases or AI-flattery, and to discover your most genuine answers. Whether you’re interacting with AI or making personal decisions, it’s worth trying.