Customer Reviews

Come, Let Us Reason: An Introduction to Logical Thinking

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This book is an excellent introduction into the basic formulas and terminology of logic. All basics are covered: Syllogism, inductive, deductive, dilemma's, and so on. The reviewer from Vancover, WA, who unfairly rates this book low, brings up that Godel and Brouwer have demonstrated the inability of logic (paraphased);But didn't they use logic to reach that conclusion? - yes they did. Without logical thinking, all our statements and beliefs become nonsensical! Either logic is used or abused.

Geisler and Brooks have written a great text and its only real (possible) flaw is that it is written from a conservative Christian viewpoint. Myself a Christian, I do see problems with people who will unfairly rate this book low or not give it a fair reading because of the overtly Christian stance. With that said, this is also the book's strength, because many Christians need to learn logic and may turn to this book because of the Geilser and Brook's religious position.

The chapters on "informal fallacies" and "scientific thinking" are extremely well written for the primer level. This book is great from start to finish.

I recommend this not-boaring-at-all book to anyone who takes thinking seriously and wants a concise look into logic. This book is a must for those who have never studied logic, as it teaches how to identify correct and incorrect thinking. This book reads like a text book, as it gives you exercises to complete in order that you apply what you learn. Geisler looks at logic with Theology (his primary discipline) to clarify the rules of logic, which I don't think is a deterrent (to the unbiased), in that it does not detract from the study of logic itself, but rather gives us examples to sink our teeth into. There's plenty of incorrect thinking in our society, & this book helps one to see through the bad arguments proposed.

The main strength of this book is its thorough catalog of informal fallacies, accompanied by a glossary for easy reference. Although overtly Christian in tone, it is suitable for anyone interested in informal logic.

This book is not meant for casual reading (you have to think to understand this one), but it can help enlighten the casual reader (who does not want to study) if he/she skims through the first 90 pages (which require some study of terms and differences)and then coasts through the rest. Geisler and Brooks are Christian thinkers who understand thinking and logic, and they present the major components of logical thinking in a Christian context.

The authors explain syllogisms and differentiate between a valid conclusion and an invalid conclusion. They also distinguish validity from actual truth (valid conclusions are not always actually true in reality; they are merely logically based on the premises presented). That's the stuff addressed in the first 90 pages.

But the best part (and most enjoyable for me)began with chapter 6, "Informal Fallacies." This section was lighter reading. Since this is an election year, it would be a study in itself to compare political commentaries and supposed answers to questions with the logic presented in this volume!

Since the authors are serious students of Scripture and Geisler is a celebrated Theologian, most of their examples come from familiar Bible texts or theological issues. Although I have stronger convictions about Sovereign Grace than do the authors, I really found their examples useful in the realm of hermenutics (Bible interpretation). They are solid defenders of an inerrant Bible and ethical interpretation.

If you want to brush up your thinking skills, this might be a good place to start. "Fit Bodies, Fat Minds" by Os Guiness persuades us that the use of the mind has been neglected in evangelical communities, and Geisler and Brooks have written a work to help properly activate those little grey cells. Not really an easy read, and not for everyone, but a meaningful mind stretcher.

In my opinion, everyone should read a book on logic and argumentation to clear up the way he thinks. The advantage of this book over the others on the same topic is that Geisler's book:
- is not "dry" and boring as are many book on formal logic
- is still very clear, unlike many books on informal logic
- succeed in teaching a lot in a limited space
I can recommend it. The contents are:
1 The Whats and Why of logic
2 Building blocks
3 Basic logical structures
4 Other types of syllogism
5 Formal fallacies
6 Informal fallacies
7 Uncovering logic in literature
8 Introduction to induction
9 Scientific thinking
10 Fallacies in scientific thinking
Each chapter is followed by exercised, the answers are at the end of the book

The reviewer Daniel J. Paszak "Diogenes" criticizes this book because it claims that a tautology is invalid. If the reviewer, however, bothered to read p. 23, he'd see that "there is a difference between truth and validity." A conclusion may be true (such as a tautology, for instance), but if it does not follow from its premises, then the argument is still invalid. This is a standard logical system. See the definition of "valid" in Copi and Cohen, Introduction to Logic. Also, this book does not claim that "-p or -q" is "-(p or q)." Look again. The authors are not unaware of De Morgan's theorem.

Furthermore, it exasperates me when reviewers like Truth seeker "a reader from NY" say that they are surprised to see that this is a book that assumes/promotes Christianity. Or when other reviewers like John L. Davis say that the use of biblical references is distracting. Duh! Look at the back cover and see what the book is about and who the author is! This is one of those "logic texts intended explicitly for Christians." Geisler is "one of evangelicalism's most prolific writers." This is a book written by two Christians for a Christian audience. And do you know where the title "Come Let Us Reason" comes from? (Hint: the Bible.) So don't gripe that this book assumes a Christian worldview.

Now, for Christians: Anti-intellectualism is one of Satan's strategies that have made the church ineffective. Geisler's book combined with a good textbook on biblical hermeneutics will enable the Christian to recognize and combat deception and fallacies, and appropriate God's truth.

By reading this book, you'll know what a "straw man fallacy" is. Accusing Geisler with something he didn't say is an example. Geisler in the book mentions paradox, but does he ignore it (See the the fallacious review by J. Kowalski "mumon")? Geisler only says that what is not paradoxical in theology should not be considered so. [The trinity is a mystery but NOT a paradox or a contradiction because it does NOT say 1 is equal to 3. God is 1 in an aspect (essence) and 3 in another aspect (person). Anybody who says Christians believe a contradiction is again guilty of straw man attack.] The reviewer also insinuates that Geisler holds that all truth is derivable from logic. However, Geisler is an evangelical and holds to truths revealed in the Scripture, not just truths derived from reason.

You'll be able to recognize what a "faulty dilemma" (also called "false dichotomy") is. Saying that being human and God at the same time is contradictory is an example.

And what is "dicto simpliciter"? It's the fallacy that applies a general rule to circumstances not included in the rule. The general rule that "Cretans are always liar" does not apply to Epimenides, so Paul is able to quote him and assert that "This testimony is true" (Titus 1:13).

You'll also learn from this book what an "argumentum ab annis" is. It's the fallacy that says because a concept is oudated, it must be false. (Sounds familiar?) What does age got to do with the truth value of a proposition?

You'll also become familiar with what "argumentum ad verecundiam" and "ignoratio elenchi" are. Appeal to Godel's Incompleteness Theorem is an example because it does not speak of the utter futility of logic to arrive at a truth, only that given any finite set of axioms, there are propositions that cannot be proved or disproved from this set alone. And saying that if a proposition cannot be proved then it must be false, or if it cannot be disproved then it must be true, is "argumentum ad ignorantiam."

Satan's strategy is always deception as can be seen in the world's history. As Christians, it is our task to unmask those lies and fallacies. So, my suggestion: "take up and read" (the Bible with a good book on hermeneutics, and a good book on logical/critical thinking like this one).

Truly philosophically minded introductions to Aristotelian logic (the other is Peter Kreeft's _Socratic Logic_). I now do work in advanced mathematical logic, but the good old syllogism is still the most useful logical tool on a daily basis. My favorite two parts of this book are the early parts on Logic and God. It should be required reading for modern Christians. Also, the chapter on Uncovering Logic in Literature is very very good. I have taught from this text in Classical High Schools and have found it ideally suited for that purpose. It also works very well for a self-taught course. There are answers to exercises in the back. I should add that the exercises are largely drawn from philosophy and theology which makes them much more interesting than conventional logic texts.

Norman Geisler and Ronald Brooks have written a fantastic textbook on how to think using Logic. They dare to focus on students within their own Christian faith, demonstrating that you can think and be Christian! Even with the faith based examples they refrain from preaching in any way, so this work is a great introduction to Logic for anyone who wants a taste of how to examine their thinking. The book is worth buying just to read the contrast it makes between inductive and deductive reasoning. I am glad to see this book still in print!

The church is permeated with people propagating pious notions of anti-intellictualism. While the intellect is not the be-all-end-all of the Christian life it is one of the most often neglected aspects of santification. The mind in scripture is the only thing that we renew. God supernaturally gives us a new heart, but gives us the enormous and exciting responsibilty for the renewing of the mind. Logic is one major aspect of this renewal. While emotions are central those emotions must not be irrational. Geisler and Brooks provide the framework by which we can decern the fallacies of foolish thinking and grasp the essential role of Logic in the life of the Christian. This book along with J.P. Moreland fine work "Loving God with All Your Mind" will serve as an antidote for our neglect of the mind.

Christianity has become intellectually bankrupt and we now have more frauds and cults than every before. We need to return to "loving God with all our mind." Learn to think critically an dtest all things with this book. Not just for the "Christian crowd," we all need a dose of logic and common sense.