Being Logical: A Guide to Good Thinking

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By: D.Q. McInerny
(40 customer reviews)
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EDITORIAL REVIEW

Whether regarded as a science, an art, or a skill–and it can properly be regarded as all three–logic is the basis of our ability to think, analyze, argue, and communicate. Indeed, logic goes to the very core of what we mean by human intelligence. In this concise, crisply readable book, distinguished professor D. Q. McInerny offers an indispensable guide to using logic to advantage in everyday life. Written explicitly for the layperson, McInerny’s Being Logical promises to take its place beside Strunk and White’s The Elements of Style as a classic of lucid, invaluable advice.

As McInerny notes, logic is a deep, wide, and wonderfully varied field, with a bearing on every aspect of our intellectual life. A mastery of logic begins with an understanding of right reasoning–and encompasses a grasp of the close kinship between logical thought and logical expression, a knowledge of the basic terms of argument, and a familiarity with the pitfalls of illogical thinking. Accordingly, McInerny structures his book in a series of brief, penetrating chapters that build on one another to form a unified and coherent introduction to clear and effective reasoning.

At the heart of the book is a brilliant consideration of argument–how an argument is founded and elaborated, how it differs from other forms of intellectual discourse, and how it critically embodies the elements of logic. McInerny teases out the subtleties and complexities of premises and conclusions, differentiates statements of fact from statements of value, and discusses the principles and uses of every major type of argument, from the syllogistic to the conditional. In addition, he provides an incisive look at illogical thinking and explains how to recognize and avoid the most common errors of logic.

Elegant, pithy, and precise, Being Logical breaks logic down to its essentials through clear analysis, accessible examples, and focused insights. Whether you are a student or a teacher, a professional sharpening your career skills or an amateur devoted to the fine points of thought and expression, you are sure to find this brief guide to effecting reasoning both fascinating and illuminating.


From the Hardcover edition.

PRODUCT DETAILS

Publisher: Random House Trade Paperbacks
Pub. Date: 10th May 2005
Catalog: Book
Media: Paperback
Number Of Pages: 160
Ean: 9780812971156
Isbn: 0812971159

ABOUT THIS BOOK

USER REVIEWS

Excellent for what it is
~ Written on Dec 7, 2009. out of users found this review helpful.

On reading some of the other reviews, I have to say that some who have ranked this book low, desperately need this book or one like it. The general beef seems to be that the book is too short and lacks depth or completeness.
Hello!
The book is 130 some odd pages. Says so right in the listing.
Do you really expect to find a short book capable of encompassing all of the ins and outs of logic in such a short work? Completely unrealistic.
That being said, for what it is, the book is very good. Having read textbooks on critical thinking that were more in depth, they were not as concise or as clearly stated. I definitely got a lot out of it and will be keeping this for future reference and review. (along with my other texts on critical thinking). There is a place for each.

Great Book for Undergrad's or People Starting on Logic
~ Written on Nov 30, 2009. out of users found this review helpful.

This book is a quick read and provides a nice introduction to Logic. I would recommend this book for any undergrad that wants to get a jump start on their first Logic class. I would also recommend this book for anyone self-learning Logic.

The first chapter, Preparing the Mind for Logic, is dubious and can be ignored unless you're an idiot.

The second chapter, The Basic Principals of Logic, is provides an introduction to the basic principles and laws of Logic. It also covers details about "Causes" and Categories.

The third chapter, Argument the Language of Logic, is the Main chapter in the book. This is where the value of the book is to be found. It provides a good amount of introduction to Syllogic argumentation and a very brief discussion of induction logic. The majority of the book is deductive logic.

The fourth chapter, The Sources of Illogical Thinking, is about ten pages long and very brief matter on the subject.

The last chapter covers logic fallacies. It does go through about twenty common fallacies.

The difference between a four and a five rating for this book comes from it being very dry. The sub-chapter titles could also be labeled better.

I would recommend Jay Heinrichs, Thank You For Arguing, if you are reading this for Rhetoric. The book is a fun read with lots of great examples. For practical use of logic within rhetoric this is a great book.
Thank You for Arguing: What Aristotle, Lincoln, and Homer Simpson Can Teach Us About the Art of Persuasion

Extremely helpful
~ Written on Nov 20, 2009. out of users found this review helpful.

I give this book out to many of my students, and have incorporated it into my classes on physics. It is indispensible. Of course, a full, solid course in logic would be better, but who gets that in college any more? This book is a great way to show students what they've missed, what they don't know, and what they need to learn.

How to Make Logic Interesting
~ Written on Oct 29, 2009. out of users found this review helpful.

I enjoyed this book because I was thinking of all my friends and family that would actually enjoy this book on logic and even be delighted that they had completed it. This is a good book to start with, as it makes a sometimes arcane subject come alive. Yes, in making a complex subject simple to comprehend, some epistemic and philosophical commitments proceed unargued, but this is a work that succeeds in bringing clarity to a subject that helps govern all one thinks and performs. Buy it for gifts - tell your loved-ones to just read ten pages, they will be hooked.

Being Logical for your friends and co-workers
~ Written on Sep 25, 2009. 1 out of 1 users found this review helpful.

I have bought and freely shared about 15 copies of this little gem. I was sold when I read the first advice in the first chapter: be attentive (focus) and get your facts straight! The last two chapters are also stellar because they remind us of the most commonly used types of flawed logic. This book is a bit like potato chips: you cannot stop with just one or two. If you don't hand out a lot of them to family members and co-workers, each may leap to the wrong conclusion that you are suggesting that THEY are illogical. In truth, each and every one of us has to practice to improve our game, and this book is a stellar little coach. HWM

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