How to Think Critically: A Concise Guide

Author:   Jeff McLaughlin
Publisher:   Broadview Press Ltd
Edition:   2nd Revised edition
ISBN:  

9781554815333


Pages:   294
Publication Date:   31 August 2023
Format:   Paperback
Availability:   In Print   Availability explained
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How to Think Critically: A Concise Guide


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Overview

How to Think Critically begins with the premise that we are all, every day, engaged in critical thinking. But just as we may develop bad habits in daily life if we don't scrutinize our practices, so we are apt to develop bad habits in critical thinking if we are careless in our reasoning. Readers are presented with a traditional step-by-step method for analysis that can be applied to all argument forms. Hundreds of exercises (with solutions) are included, as are several random statement generators which can be used to create thousands of additional examples. Venn diagrams, truth tables, and other essential concepts are presented not as definitions for academic study but as tools for better thinking and living. This second edition is substantially revised and improved throughout, and includes an all-new chapter on the applications of critical thinking in online contexts.

Full Product Details

Author:   Jeff McLaughlin
Publisher:   Broadview Press Ltd
Imprint:   Broadview Press Ltd
Edition:   2nd Revised edition
Weight:   0.450kg
ISBN:  

9781554815333


ISBN 10:   1554815339
Pages:   294
Publication Date:   31 August 2023
Audience:   Professional and scholarly ,  Professional & Vocational
Format:   Paperback
Publisher's Status:   Active
Availability:   In Print   Availability explained
This item will be ordered in for you from one of our suppliers. Upon receipt, we will promptly dispatch it out to you. For in store availability, please contact us.

Table of Contents

Chapter 1: Identifying Arguments and Non-Arguments 1.1 Arguments, Not Fight 1.2 Critical Thinking and Reasoning 1.3 Arguments vs. Unsupported Claims 1.4 Premises and Conclusions: The Building Blocks of Arguments 1.5 Identifying Statements and Arguments Statement Generator: Moral Issues Statements Chapter 2: The Use and Abuse of Language 2.1 Meaning, Denotation, and Connotation 2.2 Defining Words 2.3 Vagueness and Ambiguity 2.4 Emotional Language & Prejudicial Language 2.5 Scope and Conviction Chapter 3: Argument Structure and Assessment 3.1 Standardizing Arguments 3.2 Editing Arguments 3.3 Complex Arguments Chapter 4: Argument Evaluation 4.1 The S-Test 4.2 Step 1: Satisfactory Premises 4.3 Step 2: Supporting Premises 4.4 Step 3: Sufficient Support 4.5 Passing the S-Test 4.6 Failing the S-Test Statement Generator: Moral Issues Statement Generator: Business Issues Chapter 5: Argument Types 5.1 Deductive Arguments 5.2 Inductive Arguments 5.3 Arguments from Analogy Chapter 6: Fallacies 6.1 List of Fallacies 6.2 Fallacies in Advertising Chapter 7: Categorical Logic 7.1 Categorical Logic and Categorical Statements 7.2 The Square of Opposition 7.3 Rules of Inference 7.4 Depicting Categorical Statements Using Venn Diagrams 7.5 Depicting Categorical Syllogisms Using Venn Diagrams 7.6 Using Rules to Evaluate Categorical Syllogisms 7.7 Missing/Implicit Statements in Categorical Syllogisms Chapter 8: Propositional Logic Using Truth Tables 8.1 Translating Propositions 8.2 Basic Truth Tables for And, Or, Not, and If, Then 8.3 Creating Long Truth Tables 8.4 Creating Short Truth Tables Chapter 9: Critical Thinking Online 9.1 Tools and Tips 9.2 Developing Safe Search Habits 9.3 How (not to) Argue Online Glossary of Key Terms

Reviews

"COMMENTS on the 1st Edition ""Jeff McLaughlin's How to Think Critically covers all of the topics important for introductory courses in Critical Thinking, and it does so without bogging down the reader or instructor with extraneous material. The examples and illustrations will, I believe, resonate well with students, and, in particular, with students at Canadian universities. I look forward to using this text the next time I offer Critical Thinking."" -- G.K.D. Crozier, Laurentian University ""How to Think Critically is a very good text. It is clear and comprehensive and includes an abundance of examples. It provides a plausible and sensible take on arguments as they really do occur."" -- Michael Stack, University of Manitoba ""McLaughlin's book is clearly written and infused with an engaging sense of humour that sustains interest in a subject area that too often is presented in a dry and uninteresting fashion. McLaughlin uses pedagogically sound techniques and strategies to build competency and confidence in thinking critically."" -- Jill Hunter, Athabasca University"


COMMENTS on the 1st Edition Jeff McLaughlin's How to Think Critically covers all of the topics important for introductory courses in Critical Thinking, and it does so without bogging down the reader or instructor with extraneous material. The examples and illustrations will, I believe, resonate well with students, and, in particular, with students at Canadian universities. I look forward to using this text the next time I offer Critical Thinking. -- G.K.D. Crozier, Laurentian University How to Think Critically is a very good text. It is clear and comprehensive and includes an abundance of examples. It provides a plausible and sensible take on arguments as they really do occur. -- Michael Stack, University of Manitoba McLaughlin's book is clearly written and infused with an engaging sense of humour that sustains interest in a subject area that too often is presented in a dry and uninteresting fashion. McLaughlin uses pedagogically sound techniques and strategies to build competency and confidence in thinking critically. -- Jill Hunter, Athabasca University


Reviews on the First Edition: “Jeff McLaughlin’s How to Think Critically covers all of the topics important for introductory courses in Critical Thinking, and it does so without bogging down the reader or instructor with extraneous material. The examples and illustrations will, I believe, resonate well with students, and, in particular, with students at Canadian universities. I look forward to using this text the next time I offer Critical Thinking.” - G.K.D. Crozier, Laurentian University “How to Think Critically is a very good text. It is clear and comprehensive and includes an abundance of examples. It provides a plausible and sensible take on arguments as they really do occur.” - Michael Stack, University of Manitoba “McLaughlin’s book is clearly written and infused with an engaging sense of humour that sustains interest in a subject area that too often is presented in a dry and uninteresting fashion. McLaughlin uses pedagogically sound techniques and strategies to build competency and confidence in thinking critically.” - Jill Hunter, Athabasca University


Author Information

Jeff McLaughlin is Professor of Philosophy at Thompson Rivers University.

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