Critical Thinking - Concise Edition: Concise Edition

Table of Contents:
Acknowledgments Online Materials PART ONE: INTRODUCTION Chapter 1: Reasoning and Critical Thinking Reasoning The Concept of Logical Strength Truth, Logical Strength, and Soundness Critical Thinking Skills Critical Thinking and the Science of Logic Self-Test No. 1 Questions for Discussion PART TWO: MEANING Chapter 2: Meaning and Definition The Complexity of Language The Meaning of Language The Reference Theory of Meaning The Idea Theory of Meaning Meaning as Use The Main Functions of Language Self-Test No. 2 Questions for Discussion Definition The Purposes of Definition Reportive Definitions Stipulative Definitions Essentialist Definitions Methods of Definition Genus-Species Method Ostensive Method Synonym Method Operational Method Contextual Method Assessing Reportive Definitions Too Broad a Definition Too Narrow a Definition Too Broad and Too Narrow a Definition Circular Definition Obscure Definition Assessing Stipulative and Essentialist Definitions A Warning Self-Test No. 3 Questions for Discussion Chapter 3: Clarifying Meaning The Principle of Charity Linguistic Ambiguity Ambiguity and Vagueness Referential Ambiguity Grammatical Ambiguity Use and Mention Self-Test No. 4 Analytic, Contradictory, and Synthetic Statements Self-Test No. 5 Descriptive and Evaluative Meaning Self-Test No. 6 Necessary and Sufficient Conditions Self-Test No. 7 Questions for Discussion Chapter 4: Reconstructing Arguments Reconstruction Missing Premises and Conclusions Self-Test No. 8 Special Cases Reports of Arguments Explanations Self-Test No. 9 The Structure of Arguments Simple Arguments T Arguments V Arguments Complex Arguments Self-Test No. 10 Another Warning Questions for Discussion PART THREE: ASSESSING ARGUMENTS Chapter 5: Strategies for Assessing Arguments The Fallacies Approach The Criterial Approach The Three Criteria of a Sound Argument Seven Rules for Assessing Arguments Rule 1. Identify the Main Conclusion Rule 2. Identify the Premises Rule 3. Identify the Structure of the Argument Rule 4. Check the Acceptability of the Premises Rule 5. Check the Relevance of the Premises Rule 6. Check the Adequacy of the Premises Rule 7. Look for Counter-Arguments Chapter 6: Assessing Truth-Claims Theories of Truth The Correspondence Theory The Coherence Theory The Pragmatic Theory Types of Truth-Claims Empirical Truth-Claims Non-Empirical Truth-Claims Acceptability Self-Test No. 11 Questions for Discussion Assessing the Acceptability of Premises Some Particular Fallacies Begging the Question Inconsistency Equivocation False Dichotomy Self-Test No. 12 Questions for Discussion Chapter 7: Assessing Relevance The Criterion of Relevance Recognizing Irrelevant Premises Appeals to Authority (1) Some Particular Fallacies Ad Hominem Tu Quoque Straw Man Self-Test No. 13 Questions for Discussion Chapter 8: Assessing Adequacy The Criterion of Adequacy Appeals to Authority (2) Appeals to Anecdotal Evidence Appeals to Ignorance The Slippery Slope Fallacy Causal Fallacies Post Hoc Confusing Cause and Effect Common Cause Self-Test No. 14 Questions for Discussion Chapter 9: Deductive Reasoning The Nature of Deductive Reasoning Truth-Functional Statements Formal Validity and Soundness Valid Argument Forms Formal Invalidity Self-Test No. 15 Questions for Discussion Chapter 10: Inductive Reasoning The Nature of Inductive Reasoning Inductive Generalization Statistical Syllogism Induction by Confirmation Analogical Reasoning Self-Test No. 16 Questions for Discussion Chapter 11: Arguing Back Explaining the Weakness Counter-Examples Absurd Examples Counter-Arguments Self-Test No. 17 Questions for Discussion Chapter 12: Irrational Techniques of Persuasion Loaded Terms Vague Terms Loaded Questions False Confidence Selectivity Misleading Statistics Humor Red Herring Guilt by Association Persuasive Redefinition Self-Test No. 18 Questions for Discussion Appendix: Answers to Self-Tests Glossary Index

About the Author :
The late William Hughes was Professor and Chair in the Philosophy Department at the University of Guelph. Jonathan Lavery is Associate Professor of Society, Culture, and Environment at Wilfrid Laurier University, Brantford.

Review :
Comments on Critical Thinking: An Introduction to the Basic Skills: “Here is a textbook of lasting value. It is accessible without being over-simplistic. It is unsurpassed in clarity and depth. And its examples, exercises, and questions for discussion offer the student unique and exciting materials for reflection and engagement.” — Ahmad Rahmanian, University of New Brunswick “This textbook stands out from others for its clarity, which is due in large part to the conceptual organization of the material it covers. Rather than artificially carving out various aspects of critical thinking for individual treatment, the authors simply and carefully develop ideas, step by step. This approach makes clear how various aspects of careful, critical thinking come together, allowing students to develop their skills along the way.” — Joshua Smith, Central Michigan University “I have been using Hughes (now Hughes & Lavery) since the first edition. I have occasionally tried other texts but have yet to find one I like as much. It has all the essential materials, it’s impeccably organized, and it’s clear and accessible to our students.” — Wayne I. Henry, University of the Fraser Valley