Author Description

Attempts to persuade us - to believe something, to do something, to buy something - are everywhere. What is less clear is how to think critically about such attempts and how to distinguish those that are sound arguments. Critical Thinking: A Concise Guide is a much needed guide to argument analysis and a clear introduction to thinking clearly and rationally for oneself. Accessibly written, this book equips readers with the essential skills required to discuss a good argument from a bad one. Key features of the book include: * Clear, jargon-free discussion of key concepts in argumentation * How to avoid common confusions surrounding words such as truth, knowledge and opinion * How to identify and evaluate the most common types of argument * How to spot fallacies and tell good reasoning from bad * Chapter summaries, exercises, examples, and a glossaryThe second edition has been updated to include topical new examples from politics, sport, medicine and music, as well as new exercises throughout.