The Elements of Reasoning

by Conway, David; Munson, Ronald

• ISBN13: 9780534519490
• ISBN10: 0534519490
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 1999-12-01
• Publisher: Wadsworth Publishing

Summary

This text is a concise and elegant introduction to the basic elements of argumentative prose and the conceptual tools necessary to understand, analyze, criticize, and construct arguments. The book serves not only as a text but as a useful handbook of reasoning in much the same way that Strunk and White's ELEMENTS OF STYLE provides a handbook for writers. While the book covers the standard formal tools of introductory logic, its emphasis is on practical applications to the kinds of arguments students most often encounter.

Table of Contents

Preface	vi
Orientation	1	(207)
Basic Assumptions	1	(1)
Organization	2	(1)
Using This Book	3	(2)
Recognizing Arguments	5	(15)
What Is an Argument?	5	(1)
Three General Considerations	6	(1)
Recognizing Arguments	7	(5)
Multiple Conclusions and Complex Arguments	12	(8)
Exercises	14	(6)
Analyzing Arguments	20	(19)
Showing the Structure of Arguments	20	(3)
Strategies of Analysis	23	(3)
Two Special Problems	26	(2)
Analyzing a Complex Argument: An Example	28	(11)
Exercises	31	(8)
Evaluating Arguments	39	(25)
Deductive Arguments	39	(8)
Exercises	45	(2)
Nondeductive Arguments	47	(7)
Complex Arguments	54	(6)
Exercises	57	(3)
Overall Argument Evaluation	60	(4)
Exercises	62	(2)
Some Valid Argument Forms	64	(25)
Sentential Form	64	(4)
Exercises	67	(1)
Valid Argument Forms	68	(4)
Two Invalid Argument Forms	72	(3)
Exercises	73	(2)
Showing the Validity of Complex Arguments	75	(4)
Exercises	77	(2)
Conditionals	79	(1)
Equivalent Forms	80	(4)
Exercises	83	(1)
Using Inference and Equivalence Rules	84	(5)
Exercises	86	(3)
More Valid Argument Forms: Categorical Reasoning and Venn Diagrams	89	(15)
Categorical Statements	89	(6)
Exercises	94	(1)
Categorical Syllogisms	95	(9)
Exercises	101	(3)
Causal Analysis	104	(20)
Basic Causal Relationships	104	(6)
Designating Factors as Causes	110	(1)
Causal Explanations	111	(1)
Testing Causal Claims	112	(12)
Exercises	119	(5)
Argument by Analogy and Models	124	(13)
Analogical Arguments	124	(3)
Models	127	(2)
Evaluating Analogical Reasoning	129	(8)
Exercises	131	(6)
Errors in Reasoning: Fallacies	137	(27)
Fallacies in Supporting a Claim	137	(12)
Exercises	143	(5)
Exercises	148	(1)
Fallacies of Criticism and Response	149	(15)
Exercises	156	(8)
Definition	164	(12)
Definition of Definition	164	(1)
Two Types of Definition	164	(4)
Methods of Definition	168	(3)
Standards of Definition	171	(5)
Exercises	173	(3)
Vagueness and Ambiguity	176	(14)
Vagueness	176	(5)
Ambiguity	181	(9)
Exercises	185	(5)
Reasonable Beliefs	190	(18)
Granted Claims and Accepted Beliefs	190	(10)
New Claims, Background Beliefs, and Rationality	200	(8)
Exercises	202	(6)
Exercises: Some Answers, Hints, and Comments	208	(22)
Index	230