Overview

From alcohol and drug addiction to rage on national highways and in airports, many human beings have kept themselves in perpetual turmoil and despair. From encroachment on individual rights and liberties to wars of attrition and mass genocide, human history has continually repeated itself due to a failure to see the light. Containing numerous skill-building exercises, Critical Thinking Unleashed seeks to cultivate the reasoning skills required to overcome such destructive human tendencies and to live meaningful and productive lives in a democratic society. In contrast to other treatments of practical reasoning, Elliot D. Cohen not only teaches students how to identify and refute irrational premises—he also teaches them how to construct rational antidotes to combat the personal, social, and political obstacles they confront in everyday life. Moreover, Cohen encourages students to use the theories and ideas embodied in the history of philosophy in order to construct these rational guides, drawing examples from many contemporary sources. Demonstrating the practical relevance and import of many historically significant philosophers (e.g. Socrates, Aristotle, Epictetus, Hume, Kant, Mill, Sartre, and Nietzsche), the book presents a practical, non-technical, and comprehensive approach to critical thinking.

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9780742564312

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Reviews

In Critical Thinking Unleashed, Elliot D. Cohen takes the reader through the various parameters of reasoning. It is complex, yet fascinating stuff. But what I found most important perhaps was how so much of what he wrestles with, from deconstructing the news stories behind Iraqi WMD to 'spin' in political campaign ads, cuts to the heart of the challenge we face as citizens in today 's democracy.--Peter W. Singer

In Critical Thinking Unleashed, Elliot D. Cohen takes the reader through the various parameters of reasoning. It is complex, yet fascinating stuff. But what I found most important perhaps was how so much of what he wrestles with, from deconstructing the news stories behind Iraqi WMD to 'spin' in political campaign ads, cuts to the heart of the challenge we face as citizens in today's democracy. -- Peter W. Singer In welcome contrast to the many disembodied treatments of critical thinking that have been published, this book speaks with a warm, human voice that knows what is at stake in thinking and provides a thorough tour of the logic and rhetoric that every educated person should master. The author's deep interest in the practical application of the tools of philosophy comes through clearly in this text. Fresh treatments of familiar topics provide a comprehensive view of critical thinking that is distinguished by its humanity and realism. -- Greg Tropea

Author Information

Elliot D. Cohen is professor of philosophy and chair of the Department of Humanities at Indian River State College in Florida. He is executive co-director and co-founder of the American Society for Philosophy, Counseling, and Psychotherapy; professor and chair at the Indian River College; editor-in-chief and founder of The International Journal of Applied Philosophy and The International Journal of Philosophical Practice. Author of twelve books and numerous articles, his most recent books are New Rational Therapy: Thinking Your Way to Serenity, Success, and Profound Happiness and What Would Aristotle Do? Self-Control through the Power of Reason. Other recent books include Philosophers at Work: Issues and Practice of Philosophy; The Virtuous Therapist: Ethical Practice of Counseling & Psychotherapy; and News Incorporated: Corporate Media Ownership and its Threat to Democracy.

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