Asking the Right Questions: A Guide to Critical Thinking (5th Edition) [Paperback]

M. Neil Browne (Author), Stuart Keeley (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 8, 1997 | ISBN-10: 0137581866 | ISBN-13: 978-0137581863 | Edition: 5

This popular book helps readers understand the difference between blindly accepting information and critical analysis and synthesis. It teaches how to react rationally to alternate points of view and develop a foundation for making personal choices about what to accept and what to reject in what we see and hear. Focusing on the question-asking skills and techniques necessary for evaluating different types of evidence, this book addresses critical thinking as a generic skill with many applications while emphasizing values and moral reasoning as an integral part of critical thinking. It provides extensive treatment of evidence while analyzing the biases that hinder critical thinking. It includes a chapter-length illustration of the system of "right" questions. The fifth edition of Asking the Right Questions: A Guide to Critical Thinking has been revised to be more readable and clear. It provides highlighted definitions and illustrations that provide a more lively format that clarifies complex or significant points. In addition, Caution Boxes warn readers of common misunderstandings that interfere with the effective use of an idea or skill. An essential resource for every reader who wishes greater clarity in what we see and hear every day.

Editorial Reviews

From the Back Cover

This popular book helps readers understand the difference between blindly accepting information and critical analysis and synthesis. It teaches how to react rationally to alternate points of view and develop a foundation for making personal choices about what to accept and what to reject in what we see and hear. Focusing on the question-asking skills and techniques necessary for evaluating different types of evidence, this book addresses critical thinking as a generic skill with many applications while emphasizing values and moral reasoning as an integral part of critical thinking. It provides extensive treatment of evidence while analyzing the biases that hinder critical thinking. It includes a chapter-length illustration of the system of "right" questions. The fifth edition of Asking the Right Questions: A Guide to Critical Thinking has been revised to be more readable and clear. It provides highlighted definitions and illustrations that provide a more lively format that clarifies complex or significant points. In addition, Caution Boxes warn readers of common misunderstandings that interfere with the effective use of an idea or skill. An essential resource for every reader who wishes greater clarity in what we see and hear every day.

Product Details

• Paperback: 179 pages
• Publisher: Prentice Hall; 5 edition (October 8, 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0137581866
• ISBN-13: 978-0137581863
• Product Dimensions: 8.7 x 6 x 0.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8.8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (16 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #182,171 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

209 of 221 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A must for anyone who wants to be a smarter thinker!, August 24, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Asking the Right Questions: A Guide to Critical Thinking (5th Edition) (Paperback)

This book has been a tremendously positive influence on my life as well as on the lives of those to whom I have recommended it! Before studying "Asking the Right Questions," I was well educated, but nevertheless my thinking was often muddled and illogical. As a graduate student, this book helped me to better define my own ideas as well as understand the ideas of others. I learned how to engage in truly meaningful discourse with others about ideas and principles because I could apply a more rational approach. Differences of opinion became engaging rather than destructive or unproductive. This book and its philosophy gives me hope in the idea of the "democracy of ideas."

As a college professor, I use this book in all of my classes and require students to purchase it. We work on one skill a week as we learn the course content. Students regularly report that having a class focused around critical thinking is a unique and highly valuable experience. While I find it sad and disturbing that few college students are exposed to such skills regularly, I find it encouraging the ARQ provides an effective forum to help me teach these skills. The book is engaging, with many current examples and vivid illustrations. The reading level is appropriate for anyone in high school or higher. And because the content and skills are ones that are pertinent to any individual or college major or profession, it can be integrated into virtually any course. I especially think it would be an excellent foundation for the first-year seminars that are so popular on college campuses.

While I use this book in a classroom setting, it is one that an individual can easily benefit from. I recommended it to my mom, who said, "This book taught me more about evaluating ideas on tv, from politicians, and from other books than anything else I've ever done or read!" She found the examples and exercises quite engaging and helpful.

The ideas and philosophy of "Asking the Right Questions" have the potential to profoundly change an individual by making them a better, smarter thinker! I think it should be required reading for all of us.

270 of 297 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars A good starter, but not complete, July 24, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Asking the Right Questions: A Guide to Critical Thinking (5th Edition) (Paperback)

...[5th edition] I actually took the class Introduction to Critical Thinking with Dr. Keeley, and much like his and Browne's book, it seems rather incomplete. I'll admit it's a good way to become introduced to the terminology used in CT -- but don't we learn most of this from parents and teachers at a young age anyway? (e.g. attacking a person instead of their reasoning isn't a good argument; in this book, it's called "ad hominem")

The biggest trend I noticed among Keeley's and Browne's students was that they come out spouting fallacies left and right, but not doing any real thinking for themselves or coming up with ideas.... The last chapter -- which actually talks about alternate solutions -- is way too short. I believe this should be the ultimate emphasis and focus of the book: not just finding fallacies, but also being able to offer new possibilities and solutions.

Also, simple logic fallacies themselves do not defeat an entire argument; they just mean that the supporting statements need to be reworked. If someone uses a faulty analogy, then they should look elsewhere for support; it doesn't mean their entire argument is wrong. But this seems to be what many of the "real world" examples given in this book do. E.g. "Ross Perot says X Y Z. That's a fallacy, therefore he is wrong." But that's the end of it -- no suggestions, no alternate conclusions, no evidence to suggest otherwise; just fallacies. While these work fine as examples of how NOT to structure YOUR OWN arguments, it fails when applying it to others' (aside from making you very unpopular and cynical among your acquaintances). These have little application outside of academia and the inflated egos of CT students who think themselves to be "experts" in the field. In the real world, while the ability to find flaws is important, people need to work toward real conclusions and solutions. Also, in the real world, people have to take into consideration their audience, which may not always be made up of undergraduate college students in CT classes.

But -- if all you're looking for is an introduction to the field of critical thinking, this book works well (hence 3 stars). It's a quick, easy read even for high school students. If you want real-life strategic thinking skills, look elsewhere....

24 of 24 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A book packed with powerful analytic technique., September 29, 1999

By 

Joseph - See all my reviews

This review is from: Asking the Right Questions: A Guide to Critical Thinking (5th Edition) (Paperback)

I was looking for a book that would help young lawyers with their analytic skills, that would not be overly "text-like" and could be continually used as a quick reference. Browne & Keeley's "Asking the Right Questions" fullfiled all my expectations in that regard. I found it pleasantly short, very comprehensive, and packed with all the relevant issues. While college students will find it very helpful, attorneys and law students should include it as one of their professional bibles, along with Blacks Law Dictionary.