Readings for Logical Analysis (Second Edition) Review

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(More customer reviews)Trying to wade through the jungle of books on logical analysis is a chore. On one extreme, you have inexpensive good introductions that don't nearly cover with enough depth like Being Logical: A Guide to Good Thinking, which at $9 bucks is a good cursory choice, but very limited. On the other hand, you've got deep mathematical logic tomes North of $150 that have too much symbolic and Aristotelian logic and not nearly enough real world debate. The two "must haves" in the "expensive" category, are David Kelley's own The Art of Reasoning (Third Edition), which is a "must" for classes, but costs from $40 to $90 bucks depending on whether you get it new or used and Asking the Right Questions: A Guide to Critical Thinking, 9th Edition by Browne, which after 9 editions is on the bookshelf of nearly every self respecting computer scientist, mathematician and philosopher on the planet.
The present volume is a much more "practically applied" series of articles and readings, demonstrating with wit and precision how we can fall into logical traps. Kelley's examples range from legalistic, political and everyday debate to serious social questions. However, the spirit is not dry and this book will help hone your reasoning skills in encounters ranging from relationships to debate, research and dealing with hostile street encounters. A similar competing title (to the spirit of using actual debate and reasoning examples rather than textbook analysis of induction vs. deduction, ad hominem, syllogism, premise structures, etc.) is the widely read and controversial Crimes Against Logic: Exposing the Bogus Arguments of Politicians, Priests, Journalists, and Other Serial Offenders, by Jamie Whyte. Of the two, Kelley's is far superior. Whyte is young and arrogant, and trips over his own logic numerous times, especially in trash talking those with a spiritual frame. In contrast, Kelley's tone is not only subtle and brilliant, but has a healthy dose of humility and openness. Without that openess, logic can't make the real world transition from philosophy to negotiation.
In the more and more strident atmosphere of political debate and screaming media pundits, who associate shouting matches linearly with ratings, it is fun to read the above texts, and this one in particular, to immediately see the astonishingly low level of intelligence in these tactics. Of course, since 1/3 of US citizens can't say who the US won its independence from in the Revolutionary War (most guessing France, Germany and Japan, with a good number guessing Afghanistan!), we can't complain too much about the "loudest is the winner." But, in your own life, the speak softly and carry a big logical stick will probably be a little more peaceful. To be honest, reading this book, and especially Asking the Right Questions, opens our eyes to a new world that is sharper, more fun, less threatening and the "neural exercise" sharpens all our decisions.
Don't worry that this book seems a little "dated." The structures are as relevant for 2012 as they were over 10 years ago, and logic books being published right now still refer to this as the "lab" for their coursework. I know, OJ is old news, but the examples just give a human touch so that the subtle truths and fallacies can make a memorable impression the next time someone tries to bamboozle you! Well worth the investment.

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* 45 selections allow students to practice their logic skills on real-world arguments* Fresh Choices. This edition includes eleven new essays on topics such as the O.J. Simpson verdict, government funding for the National Endowment of the Arts, scientific method and the cure for "childbed fever," the constitutionality of capital punishment, and evolutionary theory.* Tighter rubrics. At the request of previous adopters, the editors have sharpened the volume's thematic focus by including more pieces that explicitly debate a common issue.

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