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The Art of The Argument: Western Civilization's Last Stand
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'The Art of the Argument' shocks the dying art of rational debate back to life, giving you the essential tools you need to fight the escalating sophistry, falsehoods and vicious personal attacks that have displaced intelligent conversations throughout the world. At a time when we need reasonable and empirical discussions more desperately than ever, 'The Art of the Argument
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Kindle Edition, 172 pages
Published
August 27th 2017
(first published 2017)
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Start your review of The Art of The Argument: Western Civilization's Last Stand
Molyneux's The Art of the Argument may not be the worst piece of popular philosophy writing I've ever read, but it is certainly close. The sheer volume of obvious and embarrassing errors (including confusion about basic philosophical concepts like validity, the correspondence theory of truth, absurd Plato exegesis, etc.) should make this book a masochistic exercise to anyone even remotely familiar with the field and its disciplinary standards.
Molyneux has a dedicated fanbase who no-doubt lap thi ...more
Molyneux has a dedicated fanbase who no-doubt lap thi ...more
WARNING: Do not expect an objective analysis on how to formulate a good argument or engage in rational discussion!
After a brief introduction on deductive and inductive reasoning, false equivalencies and synonyms in discussion, the author will go on a passive aggressive rant on the welfare state, political correctness and the so-called 'left', with little nuance. I made the mistake of picking a book simple because it was a best-seller and I was looking to get a sense of some popular philosophy. I ...more
After a brief introduction on deductive and inductive reasoning, false equivalencies and synonyms in discussion, the author will go on a passive aggressive rant on the welfare state, political correctness and the so-called 'left', with little nuance. I made the mistake of picking a book simple because it was a best-seller and I was looking to get a sense of some popular philosophy. I ...more
An essential manual of everyday logical theory, and an invaluable tool for the layman to identify the fallacies and outright lies swarming all around us every day. Molyneux takes us on a no-filler intensive tour of the nature of facts, lies and their sometimes unsettling relationship to politics, language and deception, using vivid and colourful examples and analogies every step of the way to make sure the reader is not left scratching their head at any point. Clear, concise and crucial to anyon
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Nobody shouldn't waste their time with this. There's not a lot of good reasons to read it. It's the intellectual and academic equivalent of a false flag. The author suggests he's presenting logic and reason, and he does so in dribs and drabs, but only to then present examples that ignore every aspect of the basic logic he presents or to make an argument using methods that he'll refute elsewhere. It's a common tactic among the socio-political/marketing crowd these days. Present a simple concept t
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Unbelievable. Right off the bat you violated your own argument about the product and the process of an argument. Muddled with random unnecessary jabs at atheism and leftists. Totally biased under the guise of objectivity.
A hilariously self-indulgent exercise in justifying conservative ideology. Poorly written, poorly argued and a very misleading title.
short version:
-) this is not a book about logic or crafting an argument but an incoherent rant pushing anarcho-capitalist/anti-socialist talking points in (poor) disguise. Think "one guy holding a stick saying 'I am a tree'" disguise
-) while I have no problem with arguing against socialism (or anything, really), this is
A) terribly lazily done and more importantly
B) pretends to be an "impartial" and "logical" book WHICH IT IS NOT
-) the book is one overlong rant without any red thread, meanderin ...more
-) this is not a book about logic or crafting an argument but an incoherent rant pushing anarcho-capitalist/anti-socialist talking points in (poor) disguise. Think "one guy holding a stick saying 'I am a tree'" disguise
-) while I have no problem with arguing against socialism (or anything, really), this is
A) terribly lazily done and more importantly
B) pretends to be an "impartial" and "logical" book WHICH IT IS NOT
-) the book is one overlong rant without any red thread, meanderin ...more
The Art of Smug Sophistry: Conservative Rationalizations for Being Duped
I was expecting to learn about argument. Instead I got treated to a snide and simplistic description of why bleeding heart liberals are ridiculous clowns followed by a fourth-grade-level discussion of inductive vs. deductive reasoning and examples of flawed initial assumptions. Then immediately, IMMEDIATELY after the discussion of flawed assumptions, we get this gem: "If I tell you that gravity is a property of matter, and t ...more
I was expecting to learn about argument. Instead I got treated to a snide and simplistic description of why bleeding heart liberals are ridiculous clowns followed by a fourth-grade-level discussion of inductive vs. deductive reasoning and examples of flawed initial assumptions. Then immediately, IMMEDIATELY after the discussion of flawed assumptions, we get this gem: "If I tell you that gravity is a property of matter, and t ...more
While I don't agree with the author on all of his conclusions, I can definitely get on board with the main thrust of the book that open and rational discussion is required for Western civilization to survive.
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I really enjoyed how concisely the author explained complex philosophical concepts in actually useful language for real people to use in their real lives.
I've enjoyed watching Stefan Molyneux's YouTube channel over the years. His matter-of-fact style of sifting through the bullshit of today's SJW-filled culture is refreshing. When I saw he had a book available on Kindle Unlimited, I decided to download it.
I like his way of conveying points in debate of a particular topic; I didn't like this book.
Molyneux decides to cram his political views down your throat till you can take no more. Instead of establishing the basis on how to actually have an ar ...more
I like his way of conveying points in debate of a particular topic; I didn't like this book.
Molyneux decides to cram his political views down your throat till you can take no more. Instead of establishing the basis on how to actually have an ar ...more
This book is a much-needed plea for rationality in an irrational and angry age such as our own. Obviously, it is not as earth-shatteringly significant as the endorsements suggest but, as with most things by Stefan Molyneux, it is worth reading. I listen to Stefan on an almost daily basis and regard him as one of greatest thinkers of our generation. His obsession with the state and his radical libertarianism tends to unduly colour much of his work, however. Sadly, this book is no exception. That
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I’ll keep it simple, this book is trash.
Ugh. I liked some of Stefan's radio-style interviews (but dislike a lot of his psychology/therapist stuff). I figured I'd listen to this on a plane so I could review it. Maybe 2.5 stars, but the audio version is read by Stefan and is paced really badly (he speaks each word quickly but then has lengthy pauses between each word) so 2/5 is generous.
It starts with a basic primer on logic. Not the best presentation, but nothing factually incorrect. Then a subtle segue into using the logical arguments ...more
It starts with a basic primer on logic. Not the best presentation, but nothing factually incorrect. Then a subtle segue into using the logical arguments ...more
Read with caution
Some good argumentation on why 'The Argument' is important. But (and its a big "but") comes with a lot of political baggage. He raises some interesting arguments for the right,, but strawmans the left to the point of disbelief. One thing I really don't buy is how he says that he debates differently in private and in public. If his goal is truth, where he debates should not make a difference. Since he says that he is "more gentle" in private debates, this implies that he is not " ...more
Some good argumentation on why 'The Argument' is important. But (and its a big "but") comes with a lot of political baggage. He raises some interesting arguments for the right,, but strawmans the left to the point of disbelief. One thing I really don't buy is how he says that he debates differently in private and in public. If his goal is truth, where he debates should not make a difference. Since he says that he is "more gentle" in private debates, this implies that he is not " ...more
A short book about how the left now increasingly attack the individual and no longer debate the facts.
As things stand it is very difficult to have a debate about the important issues without it becoming personal and about personally attacking those with apposing views.
Do the left want equality of opportunity (everyone starting the race together) or equality of outcome (people being forced to finish together regardless of speed)?
The lack of argument allows people to be attacked for being rich/whi ...more
As things stand it is very difficult to have a debate about the important issues without it becoming personal and about personally attacking those with apposing views.
Do the left want equality of opportunity (everyone starting the race together) or equality of outcome (people being forced to finish together regardless of speed)?
The lack of argument allows people to be attacked for being rich/whi ...more
Terrible book.
Ostensibly, the book is about the art of the argument, but in practice it's just a platform for the writer to complain about things he does not like. Seems he's a bit of the Randian/reactionary. In a book about Arguments I would then at least expect some well-articulated explanation of his position, but no, it's just a bunch of examples, with some "arguments" that shouldn't even convince people who agree with them. Full of flawed logic, non-sequiturs and just generally uninteresti ...more
Ostensibly, the book is about the art of the argument, but in practice it's just a platform for the writer to complain about things he does not like. Seems he's a bit of the Randian/reactionary. In a book about Arguments I would then at least expect some well-articulated explanation of his position, but no, it's just a bunch of examples, with some "arguments" that shouldn't even convince people who agree with them. Full of flawed logic, non-sequiturs and just generally uninteresti ...more
The Art of The Argument is a comedy.
It immediately fails to demonstrate basic propositional logic. Stefan is very clearly unable to understand basic logic, and does not know the difference between validity and soundness. If he were to take even a simple Philosophy 101 class, he would know these basic differences.
He has no credibility, and it is a disservice to the name of debate and argumentation to give his book such a preposterous title.
It is painfully obvious to see how this man has develope ...more
It immediately fails to demonstrate basic propositional logic. Stefan is very clearly unable to understand basic logic, and does not know the difference between validity and soundness. If he were to take even a simple Philosophy 101 class, he would know these basic differences.
He has no credibility, and it is a disservice to the name of debate and argumentation to give his book such a preposterous title.
It is painfully obvious to see how this man has develope ...more
I enjoyed the book until it was finally so weighted down with false premises that it made reading unbearable. "The Art of the Argument" is propaganda disguised as a logic book. It's unfortunate because the author was entertaining, just couldn't help asserting bs that a freshman psych student could destroy with ease. A mere newspaper subscription would have helped the author feel an ounce of humility. Gladly returning this one. Does anyone have any recommendations on a legitimate logic book?
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Stefan Molyneux presents a great argument for an open and rational discussion between people. He gives really good and convincing examples to persuade the reader. It is a handbook that you can use to present better and more rational arguments. It is and eye-opener for everyone who has been many times confronted with emotional and manipulative arguments.
This book should be required reading in public school. Of course, institutions rarely encourage their own demise, so I suppose it will be up to parents to get this book into their children's hands. I give it 5 stars without hesitation or reservation.
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I thought Mr. Molyneux's The Art of the Argument was well-structured, well-presented, and, well, well-done. I wasn't thrilled that "The Argument" was bold everywhere; it seemed gimmicky. I also wished that certain concepts had been better defined. Overall, it's worth the read.
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Life-changing.
""The Argument is the chess game of society, and victory is civilization"
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Stefan positions 'The Argument' where it belongs. Not in ivory towers but among the people. Argumentation developed not for solving paradoxes or postulating about possible worlds. It developed to persuade fellow human beings about the facts of reality. To argue well doesn't simply mean jotting down pages upon pages of syllogisms. It includes establishing first principles - principles everyone already implicitly accepts, and looking inwards and understanding your own motives and the motives of ot
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While the basics of arguments is good, Stefan himself uses flawed logic or brings in vague similarities which are his political views and logic. I was looking for a book on argument and not with political ideas of one single person. He subtly brings in his political ideas without giving any verification. As one point he talks about ostracizing all who do not listen to your argument and on others how the vilification can help.
However this is a good book for a) if you are of the same political den ...more
However this is a good book for a) if you are of the same political den ...more
Very clear and enjoyable read. It doesn't detail every logical fallacy and how to counter it, but then I didn't need for it to, having also read at least two other also-good books on the topic recently. What stood out for me about this book was how easy its argument was to understand and follow. I particularly liked how he explained the implications of counterfeiting currency, and then used that as a way to more simply explain the effects of sophistry on the body politic.
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Some excellent advice for debating, making rational arguments, etc. It's also a philosophy lesson, which is also good. I think the author takes the logical/reasoning argument a bit far, especially when he swerves into religion. He's also a staunch libertarian, so this was part political tract. I could have done without that, which would have shortened the book quite a bit. Not that I don't agree with his points, it's just not why I was reading this book.
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AbsoFuckingLuteky BRILLIANT
It's The Definitive Guide Book
On
How To Navigate Through A World Gone FUBAR!
And
Not Only SURVIVE
But
Succeed!
Must Read!
Peter Anthony Roland
Miami Beach Florida
August 2017 ...more
It's The Definitive Guide Book
On
How To Navigate Through A World Gone FUBAR!
And
Not Only SURVIVE
But
Succeed!
Must Read!
Peter Anthony Roland
Miami Beach Florida
August 2017 ...more
It’s hard to read a book about making arguments when he makes so many anti-liberal arguments without a shred of evidence. Most of them he just states as if it is fact. Pathetic. Definitely not worth the time.
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Stefan Molyneux is the founder and host of Freedomain Radio, the largest and most popular philosophical show in the world. With more than 2,600 podcasts, 10 books and 50 million downloads, Stefan has spread the cause of liberty and philosophy to listeners throughout the world.
As the host of Freedomain Radio, Stefan has interviewed experts Noam Chomsky, Dr. Nathaniel Branden, Dr. Warren Farrell, Pe ...more
As the host of Freedomain Radio, Stefan has interviewed experts Noam Chomsky, Dr. Nathaniel Branden, Dr. Warren Farrell, Pe ...more
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