
Rational Episodes
Logic for the Intermittently Reasonable
Keith M. Parsons(Author)
Prometheus Books (Publisher)
Published on 25. August 2009
Book
Paperback/Softback
292 pages
978-1-59102-730-0 (ISBN)
Description
Logic is the skill that enables humans to think clearly, accurately, and rigorously and so to draw only the inferences that the evidence warrants. Some people, like scientists, engineers, mathematicians, and computer programmers, get plenty of on-the-job practice in thinking logically. The rest of us generally don't. In this accessible, concise, yet comprehensive introduction to a sometimes formidable subject, philosopher Keith Parsons presents elementary topics in logic for people who have little background in mathematics or science and have no career goals in those fields. Parsons presupposes no specialized background and strives to introduce even abstract concepts in an intuitive and unintimidating way. His informal, conversational style leads the reader painlessly, even entertainingly, through three essential areas of logic. The first part of the book deals with sentential and predicate logic, as well as inductive and scientific reasoning, including inference to the best explanation. The second part explains basic probability, Bayes' Theorem, and why thinking about probability is prone to error and illusion.
The third part considers informal reasoning and critical thinking, including such topics as rhetoric, fallacies, political spin, and the detection of pseudoscience and pseudo history. Why be logical? Even if you are and artist or just a free spirit, logic can help to determine the facts behind the political propaganda, religious claims, advertising, and sales talk that we are all subjected to. As a logically literate person, you will be a better-informed citizen, wiser consumer, and a clearer thinker.
The third part considers informal reasoning and critical thinking, including such topics as rhetoric, fallacies, political spin, and the detection of pseudoscience and pseudo history. Why be logical? Even if you are and artist or just a free spirit, logic can help to determine the facts behind the political propaganda, religious claims, advertising, and sales talk that we are all subjected to. As a logically literate person, you will be a better-informed citizen, wiser consumer, and a clearer thinker.
More details
Language
English
Place of publication
Amherst
United States
Product notice
Paperback (trade)
Dimensions
Height: 227 mm
Width: 154 mm
Thickness: 19 mm
Weight
400 gr
ISBN-13
978-1-59102-730-0 (9781591027300)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Additional editions

E-Book
03/2018
Prometheus Books
€17.79
Available for download
Person
By Keith M. Parsons