Logical Self-Defense [Paperback]

Ralph Henry Johnson (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0070326665 | ISBN-13: 978-0070326668 | Publication Date: January 1, 1994 | Edition: 2nd

LOGICAL SELF-DEFENSE is ideal for U.S. courses in reasoning, critical thinking, and informal logic. It may also be used in "introduction to logic" courses with a strong emphasis on ordinary language arguments. The text provides step by step guidelines for constructing arguments and analyzing of others. The text offers a positive approach to argument analysis, viewing bad arguments as deviations from the patterns of good arguments. The use of fallacy theory for criticism of arguments is one of the hallmarks of the text. Boxes, numerous examples, exercises (some answered in the appendix), glossary, and clear writing style make the text especially appealing for a first course in logic.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Ralph H. Johnson is Professor of Philosophy, University of Windsor. J. Anthony Blair is Professor of Philosophy, University of Windsor. --This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.

Product Details

• Paperback: 384 pages
• Publisher: McGraw-Hill Companies; 2nd edition (January 1, 1994)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0070326665
• ISBN-13: 978-0070326668
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 6.4 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,310,201 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

37 of 38 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Over many years, this book continues to impress, July 13, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Logical Self-defense (Paperback)

In the early 80's, I took an Informal Logic course as part of my Computer Science training. This book was the text. Over the years, I continually look back to the concepts that I learnt and the way this book presented them. It is within my top 10 list of books that have "changed my life" in that it gave me tools that have never become dated and continue to serve me well. In my present work, we always look at how we can assist people in developing the ability to think critically and "for themselves" -- this book is a must read to that end.

19 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars expanding on aristotle, October 3, 2009

By 

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

This review is from: Logical Self-Defense (Key Titles in Rhetoric, Argumentation, and Debates Series) (Paperback)

or rather making more clear Aristotle's rhetoric and dialectic. I bought this book based on my research into Rhetoric after first finding it in the library. At first glance I didn't think much of it after thumbing through some pages but I took it out nonetheless to give it a better read. What I found rather impressed me.

The book is very well structured but requires attention. This is not an easy and light read, nor should it be taken lightly. It is a serious treatise on the subject of argumentation. I would see this book in the hands of lawyers but I would suggest this to be required reading for any exec or management type; and any person looking for subjects on leadership. If you can argue well and concisely then there are advantages to you. This book offers you help in not only constructing your arguments but finding fallacies in others; at the same time it provides you with a clear and structured way of thinking; therefore the subject area it comes from - critical thinking. This is one of the better books in that area. It is highly recommended.

other books along these lines: Thank you for Arguing; Rulebook for Arguments and there are others.