Logical Self-Defense

by Ralph H. Johnson, J. Anthony Blair

LOGICAL SELF-DEFENSE is ideal for U.S. courses in reasoning, critical thinking, and informal logic. It may also be used in "introduction to logic" courses with a strong emphasis on ordinary language arguments. The text provides step by step guidelines for constructing arguments and analyzing of others. The text offers a positive approach to argument analysis, viewing bad arguments as deviations from the patterns of good arguments. The use of fallacy theory for criticism of arguments is one of the hallmarks of the text. Boxes, numerous examples, exercises (some answered in the appendix), glossary, and clear writing style make the text especially appealing for a first course in logic.

Genres: Philosophy, Nonfiction, Logic, Reference

Paperback

First published January 1, 1983

Reviews

[May · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the first time I venture into the realm of logic. Logical Self-Defense has shown me how incompetent and inexperienced I am when it comes to determining the strengths and weaknesses of the various arguments I read.

It teaches how to systematically approach any material designed to persuade us in one direction or the other (with regards to identifying claims, measuring the strengths of the premises, and detecting fallacies); and what steps to follow in order to construct logically-sound arguments. It also contains many exercises and real-life examples. I have learned a lot, and I will surely come back to it again.
The chapter on advertisement is my favourite; it was eye-opening!

[Margo Johnson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another university text. I did well in this class so I would have to conclude that this was a valuable exercise in the art of the logic.

[Michael · Rating 2 out of 5]

Pretty academic but worth the work.