Introduction to Logic and Critical Thinking / Edition 5

by Merrilee H. Salmon

Overview

This text offers a balanced treatment of reasoning in ordinary language and formal techniques that enhance understanding of reasoning. The text begins with an extensive treatment of inductive reasoning that includes inductive generalizations and causal arguments. Since students are already familiar with these types of arguments in everyday life, they can appreciate the point of studying them in a systematic way. The text contains many timely features, lively and straightforward prose, and numerous examples and exercises drawn from many areas of knowledge. It combines a sensitive treatment of ordinary language arguments with a simple but rigorous exposition of basic principles of logic.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780534626631
Publisher:	Cengage Learning
Publication date:	03/23/2006
Edition description:	Older Edition
Pages:	496
Product dimensions:	6.30(w) x 9.20(h) x 0.90(d)

About the Author

Merrilee Salmon is Professor Emeritus in the Department of the History and Philosophy of Science at the University of Pittsburgh.

Table of Contents

1. Introduction to Arguments
2.Paying Special Attention to the Language of Arguments
3.Deductive Arguments, Inductive Arguments, Fallacies
4.A Closer Look at Inductive Arguments
5.Causal Arguments
6.Probabilities and Inductive Logic
7.Confirmation of Hypotheses
8.Deductive Reasoning--Sentential Logic
9.Categorical Syllogisms
10.Arguments in Which Validity Depends on Relationships. Appendix 1 Proof Method for Truth-Functional Logic. Appendix 2: Index of Fallacies. Bibliography. Solutions to Odd-numbered Exercises.
Index.

Editorial Reviews

"This text is exactly as advertised: an excellent introduction to both formal, sentential logic and informal, inductive reasoning ("critical thinking"). Of the numerous introductory "reasoning" texts that I have surveyed this one remains, to date, the only one currently on the market which extensively covers both deductive and inductive reasoning while remaining highly readable (i.e., does not read like a "math text") - no small feat."

"Merrilee Salmon's text wonderfully demonstrates the fact that both formal deductive logic and informal reasoning (critical thinking) are linked." "the text accomplishes what other logic books always force the instructor to develop on their own: a way to render philosophy and logic relevant to any student in any discipline while simultaneously demonstrating the importance of using language prudently."

"It covers the range of tools that you should want to give to a critical thinker. It also presents wonderful, real-life examples of both the good and the bad in human thought, giving the student a chance to reflect and respond."

From the Publisher