Philosophy

For undergraduate courses in Critical Thinking, Informal Logic, and Critical Writing, as well as introductory or advanced argumentation courses.

Organized around lively and authentic examples drawn from jury trials, contemporary political and social debate, and advertising, this introduction shows students how to detect fallacies and how to examine, and construct cogent arguments. Accessible and reader friendly—yet thorough and rigorous—it shows how to integrate all logic skills into the critical decision-making process.

• NEW - Abundance of new examples and exercises throughout–Drawn from recent advertisements; political debates; Supreme Court cases; and trials.

  • Students deal with arguments and issues they have recently seen in the news and discussed among themselves.

• NEW - Chapter on scientific reasoning–Includes information on making causal judgments.

  • Discusses distinguishing legitimate scientific claims from the pseudoscientific. Also includes extensive material on the nature of scientific inquiry and the methods of testing scientific hypotheses.

• Real-life examples and cases–Drawn from court trials; judicial reviews; advertising; political campaigns; and controversial social issues.

  • Show students clearly how critical thinking skills can be applied to their present and future lives outside of the classroom.

• Focus on systematic skills–Rather than isolated techniques, students make rulings concerning an argument. Is this argument relevant? Is the burden of proof appropriately placed?; Students weigh competing arguments to determine which is the strongest and construct their own arguments by analogy using cited judicial precedents.

  • Instructors find it easier to teach new material because students already have an argument context that orients them to the new material and helps them place it in a familiar setting. Students find new topics less intimidating; the material may be new, but it is in a setting with familiar landmarks.

• Readable, conversational style with substance–Avoids a heavy “textbook” feel and tone.

  • Allows students to easily read and understand the text on their own, giving instructors the freedom to present different, complimentary material in class, confident that students will come to class prepared.

• “Argue Your Case” segments.

  • Give students practice in developing cogent and compelling arguments for a specific position, and helps them develop an appreciation of the importance of good arguments and a sense of the positive benefits of critical thinking in addition to simple protection against being fooled by fallacies.

• “Consider the Verdict” boxes–Integrated into the text and exercises.

  • Give students the opportunity to evaluate, compare, and critique arguments and competing arguments.

• A wealth of exercises–Includes chapter-end and longer comprehensive review exercises drawn from real-life cases involving trials, judicial reviews, advertising, political campaigns, and arguments over controversial social issues.

  • Students’ interest is maintained when exercises reflect real-life situations.

• Optional chapter on “Thinking Critically about Statistics”–Chapter 7 examines the use and misuse of surveys, averages, and statistical comparisons.

  • Instructors can add this important material to their critical thinking courses at any point in the semester.

• Suggested Website resources–For many chapters.

  • Encourage students’ study and exploration of further materials.

• Glossary.

  • Provides students with a handy source of reference and easy access to all the terms and definitions used throughout the text.

• Abundance of new examples and exercises throughout—Drawn from recent advertisements; political debates; Supreme Court cases; and trials.

  • Students deal with arguments and issues they have recently seen in the news and discussed among themselves.

• Chapter on scientific reasoning—Includes information on making causal judgments.

  • Discusses distinguishing legitimate scientific claims from the pseudoscientific. Also includes extensive material on the nature of scientific inquiry and the methods of testing scientific hypotheses.

 1. Introduction.


 2. A Few Important Terms.


 3. What’s the Question?


 4. Relevant and Irrelevant Reasons.


 5. The Burden of Proof.


 6. Analyzing Arguments.


 7. Necessary and Sufficient Conditions.


 8. Symbolic Sentential Logic.


 9. Arguments about Classes.


10. Ad Hominem Arguments.


11. Appeal to Authority.


12. The Truth, the Whole Truth, and Nothing but the Truth.


13. Strawman, Slippery Slope, Dilemma, and Golden Mean Arguments: Their Use and Abuse.


14. Begging the Question.


15. Arguments by Analogy.


16. Scientific Reasoning.


17. Thinking Critically about Statistics.


Consider Your Verdict.


Key Terms.


Answers to Selected Exercises.


Index.

Critical Thinking  (Philosophy)

"The author does an excellent job of dealing with a great number of controversial issues, and provides a rich resource of explanations and examples. One of the most laudable features of this text is its highly sensitive and enlightened treatment of issues related to the diverse world in which we live." – Allyn Kahn, Champlain College

"I enjoy Waller's style. I have had a number of students tell me that they too enjoy it. Waller's voice is that of a really good teacher having a good time while he's at it. In fact, he makes it look pretty effortless." – Michael A. Principe, Middle Tennessee University

Critical Thinking: Consider the Verdict is organized around lively and authentic examples drawn from jury trials, contemporary political and social debate, and advertising. This introduction to critical thinking shows students not only how to detect fallacies, but also how to examine, appreciate, and construct cogent arguments. Accessible and reader friendly—yet thorough and rigorous—it shows them how to integrate all of their logic skills into the critical decision-making process they undertake in their own lives as citizens and consumers.

• New to this edition—an entirely new chapter on scientific reasoning
• Real-life examples and cases
• Systematic skills, rather than isolated techniques
• Argue Your Case segments
• An optional chapter on "Thinking Critically About Statistics" examines the use (and misuse) of surveys, averages, and statistical comparisons.
• A wealth of exercises
• Suggested Website resources

Instructor's Manual (online), 5/E
Waller
©2005 | Prentice Hall | On-line Supplement; 150 pp | Instock
ISBN-10: 0131896709 | ISBN-13: 9780131896703
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Common Philosophical Terms
Prentice Hall
©2005 | Prentice Hall | Paper; 72 pp | Instock
ISBN-10: 013189661X | ISBN-13: 9780131896611
Buy from myPearsonStore

InterWrite PRS RF (Personal Response System)
InterWrite PRS & Allyn & Bacon/Longman
©2005 | Prentice Hall | Electronic Supplement | Instock
ISBN-10: 0205436951 | ISBN-13: 9780205436958

Philosophy Cafe Website (Open access)
Longman
©2005 | Prentice Hall | Website | Instock
ISBN-10: 0321275853 | ISBN-13: 9780321275851
URL:  http://www.ablongman.com/philosophycafe

ResearchNavigator.com Guide
Allyn & Bacon
©2007 | Prentice Hall | Paper; 48 pp | Instock
ISBN-10: 0205517196 | ISBN-13: 9780205517190

ResearchNavigator.com Guide
Allyn & Bacon & Barr
©2007 | Prentice Hall | Paper; 48 pp | Out of Stock
ISBN-10: 020552396X | ISBN-13: 9780205523962

iClicker Classroom Response System
iClicker & Allyn & Bacon/Longman
©2008 | Prentice Hall | Electronic Supplement | Instock
ISBN-10: 0205594506 | ISBN-13: 9780205594504

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  Critical Thinking: Consider the Verdict, CourseSmart eTextbook, 5/E
  Waller
  ©2005 | Prentice Hall | Electronic Book; 504 pp | Instock
  ISBN-10: 0131288938 | ISBN-13: 9780131288935
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  Pearson Custom Library: Philosophy and Religion
  Pearson Custom Publishing
  ©2009 | Prentice Hall | On-line Supplement | Instock
  ISBN-10: 0205702236 | ISBN-13: 9780205702237
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  Create the perfect text for your Introduction to Logic, Critical Thinking, or Argument course with The Pearson Custom Library: Philosophy.

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Package ISBN-10: 020576679X | ISBN-13: 9780205766796
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