How to Win Every Argument: The Use and Abuse of Logic [Paperback]

Madsen Pirie (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: November 1, 2007

Publisher's warning: In the wrong hands this book is dangerous. We recommend that you arm yourself with it whilst keeping it out of the hands of others. Only buy this book as a gift if you are sure that you can trust the recipient.

In this witty and infectious book, Madsen Pirie provides a complete guide to using—and indeed abusing—logic in order to win arguments. He identifies with devastating examples all the most common fallacies popularly used in arguments. We all like to think of ourselves as clear-headed and logical—but all readers will find in this book fallacies of which they themselves are guilty. The author shows you how to simultaneously strengthen your own thinking and identify the weaknesses in other people arguments. And, more mischievously, Pirie also shows how to be deliberately illogical—and get away with it! This book will make you maddeningly smart: your family, friends and opponents will all wish that you had never read it.

The book includes entries on:
• Affirming the consequent

• Blinding with science
• Conclusion which denies premises

• Emotional appeals

• The Exception that proves the rule

• Half-concealed qualification

• Poisoning the well

• Positive conclusion from negative premise

• Shifting the burden of proof

• Trivial questions

• Wishful thinking

Editorial Reviews

Review

"This book is, unfortunately, out of print and used copies are difficult to find, but it is the only single volume that covers logical fallacies in general, formal as well as informal" (www.fallacyfiles.org/logifall.html).

'an entertaining...idea'

Nottingham Evening Post, 29/07/2006

'Armed with this book, we can go fearlessly into verbal combat...knowing how to muster our arguments and showing the fallacies in theirs...make a space for this on your shelves too. You never know when you may need it.' ~ DMJ, The Ark, Spring 2007

"A great book that is challenging, fun and argumentative and one that really makes you think about how best to formulate a logical argument...or better yet, an illogical argument."

Publishing News, June 2007

(Publishing News )

Title mention in the Law Society Journal, December 2006

'A sharp and funny account of how to out-talk other people....by fair means a foul.'

Chris Powling, Classic FM Book Reviews, Dec 2007

About the Author

MADSEN PIRIE is President of the Adam Smith Institute and author of numerous books including Boost Your IQ and The Sherlock Holmes IQ Book. He was formerly Distinguished Visiting Professor of Philosophy and Logic at Hillsdale College, Michigan, USA. He appears regularly as an expert on CNN and BBC television.

Product Details

• Paperback: 192 pages
• Publisher: Continuum (November 1, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0826498949
• ISBN-13: 978-0826498946
• Product Dimensions: 7.8 x 5.1 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (35 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #13,230 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Madsen Pirie is President of the Adam Smith Institute and author of numerous books including Boost Your IQ and The Sherlock Holmes IQ Book. He was formerly Distinguished Visiting Professor of Philosophy and Logic at Hillsdale College, Michigan, USA. He appears regularly as an expert on CNN and BBC television.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

78 of 83 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars THE book of the fallacy - a witty read, November 15, 2006

By 

ProcessBooks - See all my reviews

This review is from: How to Win Every Argument: The Use and Abuse of Logic (Hardcover)

This book is a reproduction of the classic out of print book entitled "Book of the Fallacy: A Training Manual for Intellectual Subversives", which is one of the greatest and wittiest books ever written about fallacies and argument I've ever read.
I'm happy to see that it is now available again - for a reasonable price, because it makes a wonderful gift especially for young adults, or for anyone who would enjoy learning to win arguments.
I equate this book in importance to a parent teaching their child boxing to defend themselves on the playground. This book teaches how to defend themselves in debate, where one's opponent will cry uncle from a few well placed "argumentum ad ignorantiam" or a couple "tu quoque" with a swift kick in the rump from a well placed "red herring" as they scamper a way and submit in defeat.
If there is any question of the value this book has to us "fallacy buffs", simply look at the used book prices for the original book, and thank your lucky stars that it is now available again.
Madsen Pirie is the master.

79 of 87 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Turn your brain into a Swiss Army Knife with this combination sword, shield, and bulls**t detector, August 18, 2006

By 

Zeno (New Jersey) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: How to Win Every Argument: The Use and Abuse of Logic (Hardcover)

There are a lot of critical thinking books out there, but few are as easily accessible and entertaining as "How to Win Every Argument: The Use and Abuse of Logic." It shines a light on all the hidden trip wires, trap doors, and funhouse mirrors that the professional spinners use to keep us dizzy.

Wouldn't you like to learn how to see through all their smoke and mirrors? In this day and age, can any of us really afford not to?

Like its predecessor (the out-of print "Book of the Fallacy") this is a cure for our near-sighted world, especially in these days when-- whether from information overload or apathy-- we all seem to passively accept our collective blurred vision.

But don't worry, every trick in the book is revealed here in easy, to-the-point explanations. Straw men, red herrings, wishful thinking, etc--if you don't know what they are, you should-- they are the oily wool that lawyers, politicians, interest groups, media, organized religion, and out-and-out-con artists pull over your eyes everyday.

Here is the ultimate set of shears against them all. No more picked pockets, washed brains, and swiped votes. A lot of people would prefer if you didn't read this book and learn its valuable secrets-- and by all means don't, if you want them to continue to have their way. As for the rest of you, an eye-opening awaits...

42 of 46 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Dictionary of Fallacies, October 10, 2009

By 

Drake "Drake" (Montreal, Quebec Canada) - See all my reviews

This review is from: How to Win Every Argument: The Use and Abuse of Logic (Paperback)

I think the Fallacy here is that you would learn about giving your arguments more strength and beating your opponent on a verbal battle. While you might glean some useful tidbits, this book is really more of a dictionary or appendix of Fallacies. Though well written enough and interesting it should be treated more of a reference for writers than anything else. You would probably find more meaning in "Thank you for Arguing" or "Logical Self Defense"; both of which I highly recommend for people studying Critical Thinking, or Rhetoric.