Reason and Argument - Softcover

Richard Feldman

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0137672292 ISBN 13: 9780137672295

Publisher: Prentice Hall College Div, 1993

Synopsis

This book presents a clear and philosophically sound method for identifying, interpreting, and evaluating arguments as they appear in non-technical sources. It focuses on a more functional, real-world goal of argument analysis as a tool for figuring out what is reasonable to believe rather than as an instrument of persuasion. Develops a precise, step-by-step method for analyzing arguments about a variety of topics -- shows how to rewrite arguments in a format that makes them clearer and makes their evaluation easier; and then how to evaluate the rewritten argument. Illustrates methods by applying them to both serious and humorous arguments about different topics as they appear in a variety of contexts — e.g., newspaper and magazine editorials and columns, short essays, informal reports of scientific results, etc. Uses simple, relatively non-controversial examples to illustrate the basic ideas and concepts, and then offers more complicated and controversial examples for challenging applications. For anyone interested in identifying, interpreting, and evaluating arguments as they appear in non- technical sources.

About this title

From the Publisher:

Offering a clear and detailed account of reason and argument, this book presents an effective method that is applicable to reasoning about almost any topic. The book facilitates the interpretation and evaluation of reasoning as it occurs in non-technical contexts, such as newspaper editorials and columns, short essays, and informal reports of scientific results. Reason and Argument gives students the capacity to recognize a solid argument from a poor one, the skill to discern what the available evidence supports, the power to understand the world around them, and the ability assess all that they read and hear.

From the Back Cover:

Key Benefit: Offering a clear and detailed account of reason and argument, this book shows readers how to apply a proven method they can use to effectively reason on almost any topic. Key Topics: Facilitating the interpretation and evaluation of reasoning as it occurs in non-technical contexts such as newspaper editorials and columns, short essays, and informal reports of scientific results, this sourcebook is divided into three key sections: the first offers easy-to-understand material and conceptual foundations for learning to quickly comprehend and analyze arguments ... the second shows readers precisely how to use the method of argument analysis by following a sequence of steps that forces them to engage in careful rational analysis so arguments are easier to understand and evaluate ... and the third section takes a practical approach showing readers how to apply this method to statistical, causal, and moral arguments. In addition, the guide also distinguishes the rhetorical effectiveness of an argument from its rational merit ... provides discussions of numerous dismissive reactions to arguments ... and includes many examples found in newspapers, magazines, and books illustrating this method of argument analysis in action. Market: Ideal for anyone involved in and interested in critical thinking, reasoning, and informal logic.

About this edition

• Publisher: Prentice Hall College Div
• Publication date: 1993
• ISBN 10: 0137672292
• ISBN 13: 9780137672295
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 448