Think for Yourself!: An Essay on Cutting through the Babble, the Bias, and the Hype (Speaker's Corner) [Paperback]

Stephen Hindes (Author)

Book Description

Series: Speaker's Corner | Publication Date: November 17, 2005

An everyday guide to elevate our discussion of the great issues of our day.

Think for Yourself: Cutting through the Babble, the Bias, and the Hype looks at intuitive reasoning versus logical reasoning and helps people know how to cut through the tangle of pseudo-information and educate themselves on issues. More important, readers will learn how to think and decide for themselves on the greatest issues of our day.

• Approaches cherished beliefs with respect yet is unafraid to examine them with the bright lights of evidence and reason • Illustrates specific fallacies and teaches how to identify them in everyday reading and speech • Each page provides explicit and useful tools to aid in critical thinking

Editorial Reviews

From the Publisher

The "Think for Yourself" books are a provocative new series designed to stimulate, educate, and foster discussion on significant public policy topics.

About the Author

Stephen Hindes, MD, MPH, is a board-certified family physician and lecturer in public policy at the University of Denver. He practices along the principles of evidence-based medical decision-making and translates these into principles of evidence-based legislation and public policy.

Product Details

• Paperback: 240 pages
• Publisher: Fulcrum Publishing (November 17, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1555915396
• ISBN-13: 978-1555915391
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 5.9 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #59,804 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Can logical thought be taught in 200 pages or less? YES, December 9, 2005

By 

Red Moose (Evergreen, Colorado) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Think for Yourself!: An Essay on Cutting through the Babble, the Bias, and the Hype (Speaker's Corner) (Paperback)

I'm now addicted to the Speaker's Corner series books. Having read and posted a review of Gary Hart's God and Caesar in America, I purchased Think for Yourself! an essay on Cutting Through the Babble, Bias and Hype. Let me start by saying that I dropped two philosophy classes in college, for the if/then statements were killing me!

I hopped aboard a flight to Portland with Hindes book in my bag and began reading at takeoff. Arriving in Portland my mind was swimming with ideas! Think begins with a crisp, clean, and simplified timeline on the history of logical thought. I've seen tomes on this subject, and in a matter of 40 pages, I gleaned more about the history than I had in two semesters of drudgery.

Then comes the analysis... Hindes carefully constructs the basis for logical thinking, in a user friendly manual great for everyone. I'm sure you've seen other reviews that state "everyone needs to read this book", but let me be clear - this "manual for thinking" SHOULD be read by anyone who stays abreast of current news, is in a position in life where tough choices need to be made, or is in a professional position (like sales or management) that requires constant interaction and decision making.

From the outside looking in, Think my appear daunting with chapters entitled (The Scientific Method in Everyday Though, and Rhetoric: The Tools of Persuaion, Available for Hire) yet I found myself engrossed, educated, and even laughed a few times at Hinde's easy reading style and carefully placed quips.

Hindes also doesn't shy from controversy and his chapter entitled "Religion, Tradition and Moral Codes" will leave you thinking hard about whether Science is just another Religion.

Bottom line - another great book and one for the shelves of anyone interested in public policy, logic or thought.

BUY IT

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An excellent introduction to critical thinking., September 19, 2008

By 

Michael R. Nofi (Santa Rosa, CA USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Think for Yourself!: An Essay on Cutting through the Babble, the Bias, and the Hype (Speaker's Corner) (Paperback)

This book was written by an MD. When I first saw it in the bookstore Philosophy section my first thought was what makes an MD an expert in critical thinking? I was also somewhat put-off by the cover design. It looked like it was marketed for Soccer Moms. I quickly glanced through the pages, thinking the book was probably too elementary. I put it back on the shelf and walked away. Several weeks later I saw the same book again, only this time I decided to check it out a little closer. I bought it. I read it in one sitting and found it to be one of the best books I have ever read on critical thinking. I went out a bought one for each of my adult children. I highly recommend this book. The author's writing style is very engaging, upbeat, and the subject matter very complete and surprisingly easy to digest. He gives one of the best introductions for the scientific method I have ever read. It was a fun read.

5.0 out of 5 stars How to recognize BS, April 9, 2011

By 

Harry Zweier (NEPA, United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Think for Yourself!: An Essay on Cutting through the Babble, the Bias, and the Hype (Speaker's Corner) (Paperback)

Mostly this book is a review of what (at least I think) I instinctively know. But to read it so well organized and expressed by a knowledgeable thinker helps to alert me to all the pitfalls of succumbing to the weak reasoning and bias in poor speeches, writing, and "journalism". This is probably more important today than ever with the proliferation of so many opinion and distortion shows purporting to be "fair and balanced reporting." Even if you feel you already have a knack for recognizing bull, this is a great primer or just to brush up on logical thought and reasoned evaluation. If you're already close-minded, don't waste your time because you won't want to shine the light of reason on your cherished beliefs. But if you are a freethinker or aspire to be one, this is for you.