The Craft of Thinking: Logic, Scientific Method and the Pursuit of Truth

Edition: 2

Copyright: 2004

Pages: 222

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$42.00

ISBN 9781792461606

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Acknowledgments 
  Preface for Teachers 
  Introduction 

CHAPTER 1  Fundamental Concepts 
I. THE USES OF LANGUAGE
 
 1. The Informative Function 
 2. The Expressive Function 
 3. The Directive Function 
 4. The Aesthetic or Poetic Function 
II. REASONING 
 1. The Nature of Reasoning 
 2. Deductive and Inductive Arguments 
 3. Old Definitions of Deductive and Inductive Arguments Are Inadequate 
 4. Validity and Form 
 5. Valid Arguments and Sound Arguments 
 6. How Deductive Reasoning Is Used 
 7. The Principle of Contradiction 

CHAPTER 2  Arguments Based on Implication 
 1. Conditional Propositions and Implication 
 2. Modus Ponens and the Fallacy of Asserting the Consequent 
 3. Modus Tollens, Transposition, and the Fallacy of Denying the Antecedent 
 4. Summary of Argument Forms Based on Implication 
 5. Three Types of Implications 
 6. Different Ways of Expressing Implication 
 7. Analysis of Arguments 
 8. Definitions and Biconditionals 
 9. A Convenient Way to Save Time and Avoid Confusion 
  EXERCISES 

CHAPTER 3  Other Fundamental Forms of Argument 
 1. The Chain Argument 
 2. The Disjunctive Syllogism and Implicational Equivalence 
 3. The Principle of Mutual Exclusivity 
 4. The Principle of Double Negation 
 5. Dilemmas 
 6. Special Cases of the Constructive Dilemma 
 7. Summary of Argument Forms 
  EXERCISES 

CHAPTER 4  Troubleshooting Techniques:  Seeing the Logical Structure in Language 
 1. Identification of Premises and Conclusions 
 2. Dealing with Long, Cumbersome Phrases 
 3. Synonyms and Fuzzy Terms and Phrases 
 4. Premises that Require Reformatting 
 5. Arguments with Unstated Assumptions 
 6. Statements Not Expressed in 'If-Then' or 'Either-Or' Terms 
  EXERCISES 

CHAPTER 5  The Logic of Syllogisms 
 1. The Four Types of Propositions 
 2. Syllogisms 
 3. Determining Validity and Invalidity in Syllogisms 
 4. Two Important Cases of Invalid Syllogisms 
 5. The Question of Existence 
 6. Using Counter-Examples to Prove Invalidity
  EXERCISES 

CHAPTER 6  Solving Complex Problems 
 1. Determining Validity in Extended Arguments 
 2. Showing Invalidity 
 3. Formal Proofs of Extended Arguments 
 4. Proving Inconsistency 
  EXERCISES 

CHAPTER 7  Thinking Logically about Value Issues  1. The Importance of Logic in Value Discussions 
 2. Spotting and Clarifying Missing Assumptions 
 3. The Concept of Prima Facie Value 
 4. Intrinsic versus Extrinsic Value 
 5. Evaluating Basic Criteria for Value Decisions 
  (a) Egoistic hedonism 
  (b) Utilitarianism 
  (c) Value systems based on concepts of justice 
  (d) Personalism 
  (e) Ethical relativism

Anibal Bueno
Ralph D Ellis

 

Acknowledgments 
  Preface for Teachers 
  Introduction 

CHAPTER 1  Fundamental Concepts 
I. THE USES OF LANGUAGE
 
 1. The Informative Function 
 2. The Expressive Function 
 3. The Directive Function 
 4. The Aesthetic or Poetic Function 
II. REASONING 
 1. The Nature of Reasoning 
 2. Deductive and Inductive Arguments 
 3. Old Definitions of Deductive and Inductive Arguments Are Inadequate 
 4. Validity and Form 
 5. Valid Arguments and Sound Arguments 
 6. How Deductive Reasoning Is Used 
 7. The Principle of Contradiction 

CHAPTER 2  Arguments Based on Implication 
 1. Conditional Propositions and Implication 
 2. Modus Ponens and the Fallacy of Asserting the Consequent 
 3. Modus Tollens, Transposition, and the Fallacy of Denying the Antecedent 
 4. Summary of Argument Forms Based on Implication 
 5. Three Types of Implications 
 6. Different Ways of Expressing Implication 
 7. Analysis of Arguments 
 8. Definitions and Biconditionals 
 9. A Convenient Way to Save Time and Avoid Confusion 
  EXERCISES 

CHAPTER 3  Other Fundamental Forms of Argument 
 1. The Chain Argument 
 2. The Disjunctive Syllogism and Implicational Equivalence 
 3. The Principle of Mutual Exclusivity 
 4. The Principle of Double Negation 
 5. Dilemmas 
 6. Special Cases of the Constructive Dilemma 
 7. Summary of Argument Forms 
  EXERCISES 

CHAPTER 4  Troubleshooting Techniques:  Seeing the Logical Structure in Language 
 1. Identification of Premises and Conclusions 
 2. Dealing with Long, Cumbersome Phrases 
 3. Synonyms and Fuzzy Terms and Phrases 
 4. Premises that Require Reformatting 
 5. Arguments with Unstated Assumptions 
 6. Statements Not Expressed in 'If-Then' or 'Either-Or' Terms 
  EXERCISES 

CHAPTER 5  The Logic of Syllogisms 
 1. The Four Types of Propositions 
 2. Syllogisms 
 3. Determining Validity and Invalidity in Syllogisms 
 4. Two Important Cases of Invalid Syllogisms 
 5. The Question of Existence 
 6. Using Counter-Examples to Prove Invalidity
  EXERCISES 

CHAPTER 6  Solving Complex Problems 
 1. Determining Validity in Extended Arguments 
 2. Showing Invalidity 
 3. Formal Proofs of Extended Arguments 
 4. Proving Inconsistency 
  EXERCISES 

CHAPTER 7  Thinking Logically about Value Issues  1. The Importance of Logic in Value Discussions 
 2. Spotting and Clarifying Missing Assumptions 
 3. The Concept of Prima Facie Value 
 4. Intrinsic versus Extrinsic Value 
 5. Evaluating Basic Criteria for Value Decisions 
  (a) Egoistic hedonism 
  (b) Utilitarianism 
  (c) Value systems based on concepts of justice 
  (d) Personalism 
  (e) Ethical relativism

Anibal Bueno
Ralph D Ellis