Strawmen
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It has been suggested that this article or section be merged with [[::straw man fallacy|straw man fallacy]]. (Discuss)
A strawman argument is a weakened version of a debating opponent's argument, which lacks the potency of the opponent's actual argument. In debates attended by the unwary, a clever but unscrupulous debater can fool the audience into thinking that the opponent's position has been disproved. Knocking down the powerless straw man takes the place of an authentic contest with the real man.