What is a strawman argument?

Question

I’ve read the definition, I’ve tried to figure it out, I feel so stupid.

In: 1656

Answer 1

Her: I think we should get a cat.

Him: I think we should get a dog.

Her: Why do you hate cats?

Synopsis: instead of debating the merit of one’s statement, they argue against an easier to attack target (a man made of straw will be easier to knock over than a man made of steel). Sometimes this is done intentionally to obfuscate the argument. Sometimes this is done because the person genuinely doesn’t understand the argument the other is making and assumes the other person actually holds the strawman position.

You’ll see this A LOT in political discussions because it is way easier to score points with an audience by misrepresenting their opposition in the worst way possible.