A Workbook for Arguments : A Complete Course in Critical Thinking

Stephen Edelston Toulmin

A central theme throughout the impressive series of philosophical books and articles Stephen Toulmin has published since 1948 is the way in which assertions and opinions concerning all sorts of topics, brought up in everyday life or in academic research, can be rationally justified. Is there one universal system of norms, by which all sorts of arguments in all sorts of fields must be judged, or must each sort of argument be judged according to its own norms? In The Uses of Argument (1958) Toulmin sets out his views on these questions for the first time. In spite of initial criticisms from logicians and fellow philosophers, The Uses of Argument has been an enduring source of inspiration and discussion to students of argumentation from all kinds of disciplinary background for more than forty years. Lire plus…

Mayer, Robert, Robert Mayer

Are you the parent of an argumentative teen or a teen with an argumentative parent? Are you anticipating an argument with your boss when you ask for a raise? Are you expecting trouble from a supplier, contractor, landlord, or subordinate? Or do you just ignore conflict situations hoping that they'll magically disappear or solve themselves? The art of argument. It's mysterious and powerful. It's the art of having things go your way. But also it's the art of getting out of your own way. It's having The Moves. But it's also about having The Touch. Arguing. There's the rough and tumble of the norm, the amateur's game. Then there's the pro's game--always knowing what to say, how to say it, and when to say it. Winning arguments without quarreling, squabbling, tussling, wrangling, bickering, raising your voice, losing your cool, or coming to blows. Winning arguments without bulldozing and browbeating the other guy. Winning arguments by finessing rather than forcing, kickin' butt or being in the other guy's face. Winning arguments without offending or embarrassing anyone, including yourself. Winning arguments with confidence, grace and ease. The New York Times described Bob Mayer's winning methodology as " ... martial. It's mental judo. Where you use the other guy's energy to win. It's mind-set. It's charisma ... a non-threatening approach that in many ways builds on the principles laid out long ago in Dale Carnegie's How to Win Friends & Influence People." So find yourself a... Lire plus…

Liliane M. V. Haegeman

Haegeman's Thinking Syntactically is probably the most accessible introduction to minimalist syntax that is presently available. I used it to supplement more formally-rigorous texts in an intro graduate syntax class and found its contribution to my understanding invaluable. Haegemen starts from a very basic description of auxiliary inversion in English to motivate a theory of main clause structure (while providing supporting examples from many other languages, especialy in the exercises). Her essential approach is minimalist, although her reliance on good examples and clear discussions of theoretical presuppositions make this a useful model of syntactic argumentation no matter what syntactic theory you are working in (I found it helpful in a GB course). Very little prior knowledge is presupposed- each step that is made in the development of the theory is explained and well-motivated by argument and very good examples. Recommended for anyone starting out in syntax. Lire plus…

Weston, Anthony

This book is a brief introduction to the art of writing and assessing arguments. It sticks to the bare essentials. Unlike most textbooks in argumentative writing or "informal logic," this book is organized around specific rules, illustrated and explained soundly but above all briefly. It is not a textbook but a rule book. Lire plus…

Edited By Dana S. Dunn, Jane S. Halonen, And Randolph A. Smith

Content: Chapter 1 Engaging Minds: Introducing Best Practices in Teaching Critical Thinking in Psychology (pages 1–8): Dana S. Dunn, Jane S. Halonen and Randolph A. SmithChapter 2 Critical Thinking: Needed Now More Than Ever (pages 9–21): Carole WadeChapter 3 Have We Demystified Critical Thinking? (pages 23–33): Natalie Kerr Lawrence, Sherry L. Serdikoff, Tracy E. Zinn and Suzanne C. BakerChapter 4 Are They Ready Yet? Developmental Issues in Teaching Thinking (pages 35–48): Laird R. O. EdmanChapter 5 Simple Strategies for Teaching Your Students to Think Critically (pages 49–57): William Buskist and Jessica G. IronsChapter 6 Measure for Measure: The Challenge of Assessing Critical Thinking (pages 59–75): Jane S. HalonenChapter 7 Programmatic Assessment of Critical Thinking (pages 77–88): Kevin J. Apple, Sherry L. Serdikoff, Monica J. Reis?Bergan and Kenneth E. BarronChapter 8 A Process Approach to Thinking Critically About Complex Concepts (pages 89–97): Stacie M. Spencer and Marin GillisChapter 9 Integrating Critical Thinking with Course Content (pages 99–115): David W. Carroll, Allen H. Keniston and Blaine F. PedenChapter 10 Critical Thinking on Contemporary Issues (pages 117–126): Susan L. O'Donnell, Alisha L. Francis and Sherrie L. MahurinChapter 11 The Repertory Grid as a Heuristic Tool in Teaching Undergraduate Psychology (pages 127–135): Joseph A. MayoChapter 12 Critical Thinking in Critical Courses: Principles and Applications (pages 137–148): Janet E. Kuebli,... Lire plus…

Anthony Weston

A Rulebook For Arguments Is A Succinct Introduction To The Art Of Writing And Assessing Arguments, Organized Around Specific Rules, Each Illustrated And Explained Soundly But Briefly. This Widely Popular Primer - Translated Into Eight Languages - Remains The First Choice In All Disciplines For Writers Who Seek Straightforward Guidance About How To Assess Arguments And How To Cogently Construct Them. The Fourth Edition Offers A Revamped And More Tightly Focused Approach To Extended Arguments, A New Chapter On Oral Arguments, And Updated Examples And Topics Throughout. Short Arguments : Some General Rules: Identify Premises And Conclusion ; Develop Your Ideas In A Natural Order ; Start From Reliable Premises ; Be Concrete And Concise ; Build On Substance, Not Overtone ; Use Consistent Terms -- Generalizations: Use More Than One Example ; Use Representative Examples ; Background Rates May Be Crucial ; Statistics Need A Critical Eye ; Consider Counterexamples -- Arguments By Analogy: Analogies Require Relevantly Similar Examples -- Sources: Cite Your Sources ; Seek Informed Sources ; Seek Impartial Sources ; Cross-check Sources ; Use The Web With Care -- Arguments About Causes: Causal Arguments Start With Correlations ; Correlations May Have Alternative Explanations ; Work Toward The Most Likely Explanation ; Expect Complexity -- Deductive Arguments: Modus Ponens ; Modus Tollens ; Hypothetical Syllogism ; Disjunctive Syllogism ; Dilemma ; Reductio Ad Absurdum ; Deductive... Lire plus…

Eileen D. Gambrill, Leonard E. Gibbs

Critical thinking values, knowledge, and skills are integral to evidence-based practice in the helping professions. Practitioners must be able to think clearly, on a daily basis, about decisions that may change their clients' lives. Critical Thinking for Helping Professionals, 3rd Edition , is designed to engage readers as active participants in honing their critical thinking skills, mastering a coherent decision-making process, and integrating the evidence-based practice process into their work with clients. In this interactive skills-based workbook, 37 hands-on exercises offer rich opportunities for students in professional education programs to learn how to make informed decisions. Unique material exploring the use of propaganda in advertising and discussing the research on judgment and problem solving highlight the connection between critical thinking and evidence-based practice. For students in social work, nursing, counseling, and psychology, this new edition of a unique workbook is a fun and thought-provoking way to sharpen and maximize their decision-making skills so that they can provide their clients with the best care possible. * Fun, interactive exercises emphasize learning by doing * Integrates research and practice, practice and policy, and critical thinking and evidence-based practice * Helps readers to recognize how to recognize propaganda, avoid pitfalls in decision making, critically appraise research, and improve their practice * Ideal for graduate and... Lire plus…

T. Edward Damer

Increasingly college courses and programs require a critical thinking component—and include assignments meant to measure your critical thinking skills. ATTACKING FAULTY REASONING: A PRACTICAL GUIDE TO FALLACY-FREE ARGUMENTS, SIXTH EDITION, can help you brush up on these skills—and learn how to develop the logical, persuasive arguments you need now and throughout your career. This useful handbook addresses more than 60 common fallacies of logic with the help of over 200 memorable examples. It provides explanations and tips for avoiding fallacious thinking, and is an ideal resource when writing papers, essays, or arguments. Lire plus…

Roy Van Den Brink-Budgen

The skills of Critical Thinking are important whatever subject you are studying. They enable you to assess what's been said or written by asking the right questions: 'What does this mean?' 'What else could it mean?' 'What other evidence do I need?' With your answers, you can suggest other explanations or scenarios: 'Perhaps it's this rather than that'. As a creative, enquiring thinker, you can then move on to produce well-argued material of your own. This new edition has been totally updated, but it continues in the tradition of the earlier editions in that it is invaluable for all students, whether you're doing a course in Critical Thinking (like the AS-level) or not. It quite simply covers everything you need to become a skilled Critical Thinker. Lire plus…

Walter Sinnott-Armstrong, Robert J. Fogelin

construct Effective Arguments With Understanding Arguments: An Introduction To Informal Logic, 8th Edition. Primarily An Introduction To Informal Logic, This Text Provides A Guide To Understanding And Constructing Arguments In The Context Of Academic Studies And Subsequent Professional Careers. Exercises, Discussion Questions, And Readings Help Clarify Difficult Concepts And Make The Material Meaningful And Useful. Lire plus…

Joe. Y. F. Lau

This book is about the basic principles that underlie critical thinking and creativity. The majority of the content is on critical thinking since more topics are naturally involved and since they can be discussed readily and systematically. The last few chapters are devoted to creativity and research methodology, not typical the book’s plethora of competition. Each chapter introduces a specific topic, usually by introducing the relevant theories in conjunction with realistic examples that show how the theories can be applied. Each chapter concludes with a set of exercises whose solutions are detailed at the rear of the book. While the writing style is purposefully informal, the presentation is complete, at least with respect to the intended introductory level. Lire plus…

Robert J. Gula

Nonsense is the best compilation and study of verbal logical fallacies available anywhere. It is a handbook of the myriad ways we go about being illogical--how we deceive others and ourselves, how we think and argue in ways that are disorderly, disorganized, or irrelevant. Nonsense is also a short course in nonmathematical logical thinking, especially important for students of philosophy and economics. A book of remarkable scholarship, Nonsense is unexpectedly relaxed, informal, and accessible. Lire plus…

Bo Bennett Phd

This book is a crash course in effective reasoning, meant to catapult you into a world where you start to see things how they really are, not how you think they are. The focus of this book is on logical fallacies, which loosely defined, are simply errors in reasoning. With the reading of each page, you can make significant improvements in the way you reason and make decisions. Logically Fallacious is one of the most comprehensive collections of logical fallacies with all original examples and easy to understand descriptions, perfect for educators, debaters, or anyone who wants to improve his or her reasoning skills. "Expose an irrational belief, keep a person rational for a day. Expose irrational thinking, keep a person rational for a lifetime." - Bo Bennett This 2021 Edition includes dozens of more logical fallacies with many updated examples. Lire plus…

Trudy Govier

A PRACTICAL STUDY OF ARGUMENT gives you the tools you need to understand informal logic and formulate a good argument. By focusing on real world examples and including helpful study tools such as exercises with answers, a glossary of common fallacies, chapter summaries, and a book-specific online program (available with the book), A PRACTICAL STUDY OF ARGUMENT, Enhanced Seventh Edition provides you with everything you need to master the material with ease. Available with InfoTrac Student Collections http://gocengage.com/infotrac. Lire plus…

Ernest Lepore & Sam Cumming

Praise for Meaning and Argument "Meaning and Argument is especially strong on the subtleties of translating natural language into formal language, as a necessary step in the clarification of expression and the evaluation of arguments. The range of natural language constructions surveyed is broader and richer than in any competing introductory logic text that I am aware of. As such, the book provides a solid and attractive introduction to logic not only for philosophy students, but for linguists as well." Richard Larson, University Stony Brook "I can thoroughly recommend Ernest Lepore's Meaning and Argument, particularly for those seeking to teach or learn how to paraphrase into formal symbolism, a much neglected aspect of logic. It contains a wealth of examples and is informed throughout by a deep theoretical knowledge of contemporary linguistics and philosophy of language." Alan Weir, Queen's University Belfast "Lepore's book is unusual for a beginning logic text in that it contains no natural deduction proof system but rather concentrates on finding models and countermodels by means of a semantic tableaux method. It is also unusual in containing many translation examples that exemplify constructions that linguists have found interesting in the last decades. In both of these ways the book is well suited for use in educating philosophy students in the importance of logic even when these students do not intend to go further in the study of formal logic as a... Lire plus…

Walter Sinnott-Armstrong, Robert J. Fogelin

ADVANGEBOOKS - UNDERSTANDING ARGUMENTS: AN INTRODUCTION TO INFORMAL LOGIC, 9E shows readers how to construct arguments in everyday life, using everyday language. In addition, this easy-to-read textbook also devotes three chapters to the formal aspects of logic including forms of argument, as well as propositional, categorical, and quantificational logic. Plus, this edition helps readers apply informal logic to legal, moral, scientific, religious, and philosophical scenarios, too. Lire plus…

Richard Paul, Linda Elder, Richard W. Paul

Written by two of the leading experts in critical thinking, this book focuses on an integrated, universal concept of critical thinking that is both substantive and applicable to any and every situation in which human thinking is necessary. It provides readerse with the basic intellectual tools needed for life-long learning, helping them understand the mind and how its three functions -- thinking, feeling, motivation -- influence and are influenced by one another. This book fosters the development of fair-minded critical thinking. Features the intellectual standards: clarity, precision, accuracy, logicalness, significance, depth, breadth, and fairness; The importance of good questioning; and intellectual tools to read for deep and lasting comprehension, and to write in ways that show clarity of reasonability of thought. For all that want to improve their critical thinking skills to apply to their job or life. Lire plus…