Critical Reasoning: A Practical Introduction

by Anne Thomson

Overview

We all engage in the process of reasoning, but we don't always pay attention to whether we are doing it well. This book offers the opportunity to practise reasoning in a clear-headed and critical way, with the aims of developing an awareness of the importance of reasoning well and of improving the reader's skill in analyzing and evaluating arguments.

In this third edition, Anne Thomson has updated and revised the book to include fresh and topical examples which will guide students through the processes of critical reasoning in a clear and engaging way. In addition, two new chapters on evaluating the credibility of evidence and decision making and dilemmas will fully equip students to reason well. By the end of the book students should be able to:

• identify flaws in arguments
• analyze the reasoning in newspaper articles, books and speeches
• assess the credibilty of evidence and authorities
• make sound decisions and solve dilemmas
• approach any topic with the ability to reason and think critically.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781135267414
Publisher:	Taylor & Francis
Publication date:	06/02/2009
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	256
File size:	730 KB

About the Author

Anne Thomson was formerly Honorary Lecturer and Fellow of the School of Economic and Social Studies at the University of East Anglia. She works for examination boards in the UK on tests of Critical Thinking, and is author of Critical Reasoning in Ethics (Routledge 1999).

Table of Contents

Introduction 1. Analysing Reasoning 2. Evaluating Reasoning 3. Recognising Implications 4. Evaluating Evidence and Authorities 5. Two Skills in the Use of Language 6. Exercising the Skills of Reasoning 7. Constructing Reasoning. Answers to Exercises. Bibliography and Further Reading. Index

Editorial Reviews

All the virtues of the first edition - lucidity, judicious choice of realistic examples, emphasis on techniques rather than learning lists of fallacies - are retained in the second edition. The changes are unobtrusive and for the better. The updated examples maintain the topical and contemporary feel and serve to underline the practical importance of the techniques that the book propagates.

John Divers

This excellent text is a great introduction to the subject. It will be useful for students at A level and University undergraduates. The concepts and issues are clearly presented and the exercises will help students develop their critical skills. I am strongly recommending it to my students.

Patrick Macartney, School of Sociology and Social Policy, University of Leeds, UK

This is an excellent book, which offers everyone the opportunity to improve their Critical Thinking abilities.

Maureen Rhoden, School of Architecture & Construction University of Greenwich, UK

From the Publisher