Overview

This book trains students to distinguish high-quality, well-supported arguments from arguments with little or no evidence to support them. It develops the skills required to effectively evaluate the many claims facing them as citizens, learners, consumers, and human beings, and also to be effective advocates for their beliefs.   KEY TOPICS: Chapter topics include the foundations of arguments, reality and value assumptions and ethics, inductive arguments and generalizations, reasoning errors, the power of language, media literacy, fairmindedness, and persuasive speaking.   MARKET: For critical thinkers who want to be discerning about the messages they read or hear; make decisions based on careful consideration of both facts and values; be alert to distortion in reporting and advertising; and, defend their own viewpoints.

Full Product Details

Author:   Sherry Diestler
Publisher:   Pearson Education (US)
Imprint:   Pearson
Edition:   5th edition
Dimensions:   Width: 23.40cm , Height: 1.90cm , Length: 17.50cm
Weight:   0.635kg
ISBN:  

9780132413138

ISBN 10:   0132413132
Pages:   496
Publication Date:   14 February 2008
Audience:   Professional and scholarly ,  Professional & Vocational
Replaced By:   9780205063451
Format:   Paperback
Publisher's Status:   Out of Print
Availability:   Out of stock  

Table of Contents

Preface 1 Foundations of Arguments What Is a Critical Thinker and When Do You Need to Be One 2 Values and Ethics What Price Ethics and Can You Afford Not to Pay? 3 Reality Assumptions It's Eleven O'Clock. Do You Know Where Your Assumptions Are? 4 Inductive Arguments: Statistical And Causal Generalizations Prove It to me: What Are the Statistics? 5 Inductive Generalizations: Controlled Studies and Analogies Who Said So? And Who Are They Anyway? 6 Reasoning Errors I Know What I Think-Don't Confuse Me with Facts 7 The Power of Language What's in a Name? 8 Suggestion in Media Is What You See What You Get? Do You Really Want It? 9 Fair-Mindedness It's You and Me, Kid, and I'm Not So Sure About You 10 Persuasive Speaking What's Your Point? How Do You Sharpen It? Glossary Index

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