Customer Reviews

Beyond Feelings: A Guide to Critical Thinking

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This is a book in informal logic. It initially sets out to explain how our opinions are influenced by our environment (the process of socialization), and then proceeds to explain the logical stuff, which is the core of the book. There is a lot of content here, and every chapter could be expanded upon significantly with further clarifications and examples. However, the mission of the book is to give an introduction to the subject, and it succeeds in this mission. I used this book to teach a critical thinking course. I liked it and so did the students. It may seem a little dry at times, because the content is so condensed, but the book is quite effective nevertheless.

Ruggiero sets down a good basis for beginning critical thinkers and is innovative in his categorizing of logical errors. His explanations of knowledge and relativism are insightful and great for a basic overview of those particular topics. He nearly contradicts himself in a few places, that is the only major flaw in this text. I agree with many things in this book and disagree with a few things too, but I believe that this book will open up the world of critical thinking and philosophy for anyone who is just beginning to delve into those areas. The readability of this book also adds to its appeal. I encourage anyone reading this book to reflect and reread much of it and practice critical thinking by not taking Ruggiero's word for everything, check it out for yourself.

Still popular somehow is the notion that we're too "coldly rational" (as John Allen Paulos says, "Is warmly rational an oxymoron?") But this seems to be far from the case. I find that most people are excitable, rash, and prejudiced, not calm, sober, and rational. In the quest to remain balanced and thoughtful one fix is not enough. Several times a year I find that I must read a book on critical thinking and logic to drive away the toxins of advertising, media hype, political speeches, etc.

Towards this goal "Beyond Feelings" is a good book. Buy it, while books on silly new age fads are legion, books on good thinking are rare and not often published.

"Beyond Feelings: A Guide to Critical Thinking," 8th ed. is everything I have ever hoped for in a text on critical thinking. It is nearly jargon free. It focuses on how we--students and instructor alike--come to think the way we do, how to recognize critical thinking weaknesses in ourselves and others, and how to take this knowledge and apply it not only to coursework but also to our lives. Chapters are mercifully short, easily accessible, and filled with contemporary applications, which the students enjoy. As the students progress through the text, they find topics recycled. Each time the same topics reappear, the students are able to refine their critical thinking processes and points of view. Most importantly, however, my students tell me that "Beyond Thinking" is not only relevant and easily understandable, but also fun to read. What more can an instructor ask for in a text?

This book is a clear and concise guide to Critical Thinking. It presents subject matter in an easy to read fashion in a book that is not overly long. It was a great addition to my College English class.

This book by vincent ruggiero is superbly written with each critical thinking skills and caveats not been taken for more than 5 pages with applications at the end of the chapter.Hence its quite readable.
About the content it helps you figure out what factors affects you in taking a decision and how to go about resolving that with a strategy.All this in plain English.In this world with flood of information,this book will help you bring the ideas you hear from people and read through media at the bar of reason and critical reasoning.Beyond Feelings gets a 5 star straight.

Cover and pages were in great condition. No written marks or highlighting of any kind. Very satisfied with this product.

condition of the book was new, like new, i mean new... in-case you are confused, it was new! but i ordered a used one.

I ordered the book and I got it in the mail really quick. The book came new and at a good price. I got for a foundations of inquiry course but we have yet to use it so Im starting to think that it was maybe a waste.

It's got interesting insights, but unless you can see how and why they got there, you won't learn how to think critically. Still, an excellent tool.