Steelmanning the Problem Space: A Methodology for Collaborative Problem Definition

This working paper introduces Steelmanning the Problem Space (SMSP), a methodology for rigorously defining and charitably representing a problem space itself, as a collaborative activity undertaken before debate rather than during it. It argues that problem space definition is a distinct, consequential, and under-theorized intellectual practice, situates SMSP against adjacent practices such as structured academic controversy, deliberative dialogue, Bohmian dialogue, and pragma-dialectical argumentation theory, and outlines a research agenda for developing, testing, and formalizing the methodology.

For the full abstract and current scope, see the Steelmanning the Problem Space project page.