HANDLING TRUTH: Navigating the Riptides of Rhetoric, Religion, Reason, and Research - Softcover

Gardner, William Melvin

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0976187515 ISBN 13: 9780976187516

Publisher: Logica Books, 2012

Synopsis

HANDLING TRUTH identifies the four traditional domains of truth, with their unique strengths and weaknesses, their archives, and the authorities who govern them. It shows the reader how to apply the rules of those domains in analyzing assertions that claim to be true; it outlines critical debate skills, the craft of constructing logical arguments, and the interpretation of research findings. HANDLING TRUTH provides a succinct summary of the liberal arts educational experience, and directs the reader to the rewarding path of real understanding of law and politics, religion, philosophy, science, and yourself.

In capable hands, truth serves as a defense or as a weapon, as a comfort or a challenge. William Melvin Gardner's new book HANDLING TRUTH develops the reader's mastery of truth, with skills for identifying the four domains of truth, their unique strengths and weaknesses, and the authorities who govern them. It includes techniques for classifying and critiquing assertions of truth, for polishing your debate skills, crafting logical arguments, and understanding research findings. HANDLING TRUTH will start you on a rewarding path to real understanding of law and politics, religion, philosophy, science, and yourself.

About this title

From the Back Cover

"We know no higher experience than human experience, no higher understanding than human understanding, and no truth higher than that formed within the confines of, and expressed with, language."

"Understanding, like the lens in a telescope, is transparent. We do not see our understanding, we see the world through our understanding."

"The tests of truth emerged and are defended within the boundaries of four distinct domains of intellectual inquiry."

"In the Dark Ages, Mystica dominated the search for truth; in the Age of Reason, Logica grew to contest Mystica's dominance; and in the twentieth century, Empirica progressed so quickly that it overshadowed the progress of other domains. In recent years, the balance of power has shifted again, this time toward Rhetorica."

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"The scope of this book is remarkable. Gardner demonstrates a proficiency in his academic field of psychology, in philosophy, and in history--intellectual breadth without a hint of any superficiality." --Richard Bond, Professor of Philosophy, Retired, Ramapo College.

"...Gardner...opens our eyes to the struggles between truth domains...and how they shape discourse in the modern world. Those who read this book will be better able to understand why two intelligent, sensitive minds can come to opposite conclusions on important issues of our world today...." --Ralph S. Buckley, M.D., FACC, Cardiology Associates, Mobile, AL.

"I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book. In my country (South Africa) the health services were held to ransom by the AIDS denialist stance.... How did apparently intelligent leaders come to these conclusions? Gardner provides insights...."--JP van Niekerk, Managing Editor, South African Medical Journal.

From the Inside Flap

Copyright © 2012, 2020
William Melvin Gardner
All Rights Reserved


Published by
LOGICA BOOKS
PO Box 111
Fairhope, AL


Handling Truth:
Navigating the Riptides of
Rhetoric, Religion, Reason, and Research
SECOND EDITION


handlingtruth.com


ISBN 978-0-9761875-1-6

Edition details

• Publisher: Logica Books
• Publication date: 2012
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0976187515
• ISBN 13: 9780976187516
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 198