The Elements of Reasoning

by Munson, Ronald; Black, Andrew

• ISBN13: 9780495809180
• ISBN10: 0495809187
• Edition: 6th
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2011-01-01
• Publisher: Wadsworth Publishing

Summary

THE ELEMENTS OF REASONING is a concise and lucid introduction to the basic elements of argumentative prose and the conceptual tools necessary to understand, analyze, criticize, and construct arguments. This text is not only perfect for a college course in argument analysis, but also as a reference tool when confronted with arguments outside the classroom experience. While THE ELEMENTS OF REASONING 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

Briefing

Basic Assumptions

Organization

Using This Book

Recognizing Arguments

What Is an Argument?

Three General Considerations

Recognizing Arguments

Multiple Conclusions and Complex Arguments

Exercises

Analyzing Arguments

Showing the Structure of Arguments

Strategies of Analysis

Two Special Problems

Analyzing a Complex Argument: An Example

Exercises

Evaluating Arguments

Deductive Arguments

Exercises

Nondeductive Arguments

Complex Arguments

Exercises

Overall Argument Evaluation

Exercises

Some Valid Argument Forms

Sentential Form

Exercises

Valid Argument Forms

Two Invalid Argument Forms

Exercises

Using the Forms to Show Validity

Exercises

Conditionals

Equivalent Forms

Exercises

Using Inference and Equivalence Rules

Deductive Proof Strategies

Exercises

More Valid Argument Forms: Categorical Reasoning and Venn Diagrams

Categorical Statements

Exercises

Categorical Syllogisms

Exercises

Causal Analysis

Basic Causal Relationships

Contributing Factors as "Causes." Causal Explanations

Testing Causal Claims

Experimental Trials

Exercises

Argument by Analogy and Models

Analogical Arguments

Models

Evaluating Analogical Reasoning

Exercises

Errors in Reasoning: Fallacies

Fallacies in Supporting a Claim

Fallacies of Criticism and Response

Exercises

Definition.

Definition of "Definition." Two Types of Definition

Methods of Definition

Standards of Definition

Working Out a Definition

Exercises

Vagueness and Ambiguity

Vagueness

Ambiguity

Exercises

Reasonable Beliefs

Granted Claims and Acceptable Beliefs

New Claims, Background Beliefs, and Rationality

Exercises

Rules for Writing

Structure

Style

Exercises: Some Answers, Hints, and Comments

Index

Table of Contents provided by Publisher. All Rights Reserved.