fixaiprompt
All templates
⚡ Advanced Techniques·Works on: claude, chatgpt

Devil's Advocate Pre-Commitment

Technique: Devil's Advocate

Argue the OPPOSITE first. Then state your position with the strongest counter-argument already disarmed.

Advanced#devils-advocate#decision#critique
0/2
Fill the template
2 placeholders left.
Live preview
Use the Devil's Advocate protocol. Before defending my position, you must FULLY argue against it.

My position:


Context:


Protocol:

**Step 1 — Steelman the opposite.**
Argue against my position as if you fully believed it. Use the strongest evidence, the most charitable interpretation, and zero strawmen. This must be the strongest version of the counter-argument I'll ever hear.

**Step 2 — Acknowledge what's right about it.**
List 2 things the counter-argument gets right. Don't dismiss them.

**Step 3 — Defend my position.**
Now argue FOR my position. Address every point from Step 1 specifically — don't just restate my position more loudly.

**Step 4 — Verdict.**
Given both sides, what's the strongest version of my position I can defend? What's the genuinely uncertain part where reasonable people might disagree? Where would I be most embarrassed if I'm wrong?

Do not be diplomatic. Pick.
Inputs0 of 2
›See the lazy version this template replaces
Before — the lazy prompt
I think <position>. Defend it.

Why it works

  • Steelmanning the opposite kills strawman defense — you actually have to engage with the strongest counter.
  • Acknowledging what the counter gets right is the only intellectually honest move and the hardest to skip.
  • Forcing the model to specify the 'genuinely uncertain part' is the answer to the unstated question — where am I most likely wrong?

Make this one yours

Replace the bracketed placeholders, then paste into the Prompt Fixer to lint your customisation before hitting send.

Open Prompt FixerBrowse more templates