Informal Logic: A Pragmatic ApproachSecond edition of the introductory guidebook to the basic principles of constructing sound arguments and criticising bad ones. Non-technical in approach, it is based on 186 examples, which Douglas Walton, a leading authority in the field of informal logic, discusses and evaluates in clear, illustrative detail. Walton explains how errors, fallacies, and other key failures of argument occur. He shows how correct uses of argument are based on sound strategies for reasoned persuasion and critical responses. This edition takes into account many developments in the field of argumentation study that have occurred since 1989, many created by the author. Drawing on these developments, Walton includes and analyzes 36 new topical examples and also brings in work on argumentation schemes. Ideally suited for use in courses in informal logic and introduction to philosophy, this book will also be valuable to students of pragmatics, rhetoric, and speech communication. |
Contents
Appeals | |
Criticisms of irrelevance 3 1 Allegations of irrelevance | |
Bibliography | |
Personal attack inargumentation 6 1 abusiveadhominem argument | |
opinion | |
7 | |
9 | |
Inductive errors biasandfallacies 8 1 Meaningless and unknowable statistics | |
inquiry | |
Natural language argumentation 9 1 Ambiguity andvagueness 9 2 Loaded terms and questionbegging | |
9 Variability ofstrictnessof standards | |
Other editions - View all
Common terms and phrases
accept ad baculum ad hominem alleged analogy anargument appeal to expert appeal to pity appealto arguer arguing argument from ignorance argumentation scheme baculum Becel burden of proof bythe canbe causal circumstantial inconsistency cited cladists claim committed conclusion context of dialogue correlation couldbe critical questions deductively valid defendant discussion dispute emotional appeal equivocation error evaluating evidence example expert opinion fallacy false form of argument fromthe hominem argument ignoratio elenchi inductive informal fallacies Informal Logic interpretation inthe inthis irrelevant isan isnot issue isthat isthe itis kind logic meaning Newsweek ofargument ofthe onthe particular personal attack persuasion dialogue plausible poll populum position premises are true presumption presupposition problem proponent proposition prove reasonable argument reasonable dialogue red herring fallacy refutation relevant reply respondent sample shift shouldbe specific statistical tactic term thatis thatthe thead theargument thesis threat tobe tothe type of argument typeof valid argument Walton