For someone I really care about. This is most likely the most important book I’ve read for writing and analyzing arguments.
A Guide to Good Reasoning 2nd Edition by David Carl Wilson
I remember that after understanding these concepts, how to write an essay really clicked for me. Constructing an argument, deconstructing an argument, weighing the truth of a statement or a conclusion and how to present all of that. Practical day-to-day, in addition to that.
You’ve got strong reasoning skills already; this book may help cement it.
If you have any questions about the material or are looking for advice or answers on it, feel welcome to write me an email, reach out and I will work through with you, as much as I am able to.
I have a paperback copy of the 1st edition, if you would rather have that. I figured the 2nd edition is probably best. Thinking that an ebook reader will work great with it.
This book accompanies a university level course in basic logic. It’s meant as an introduction to formal philisophical reasoning. It’s openly accessible, released under a Creative Commons license.
Guess I’ll give it a read for the 3rd time in my life.
Quote from the book’s webpage:
A Guide to Good Reasoning has been described by reviewers as “far superior to any other critical reasoning text.” It shows with both wit and philosophical care how students can become good at everyday reasoning. It starts with attitude—with alertness to judgmental heuristics and with the cultivation of intellectual virtues. From there it develops a system for skillfully clarifying and evaluating arguments, according to four standards—whether the premises fit the world, whether the conclusion fits the premises, whether the argument fits the conversation, and whether it is possible to tell.
SMD