Being Logical

Whether Regarded as a science, an art, or a skill--and it can properly be regarded as all three--logic is the basis of our ability to think, analyze, argue, and communicate. Indeed, logic goes to the very core of what we mean by human intelligence. In this concise, crisply readable book, Professor D. Q. McInerny offers an indispensable guide to using logic to advantage in everyday life. Written explicitly for the layperson, McInerny's Being Logical promises to take its place beside Strunk and White's The Elements of Style as a classic of lucid, invaluable advice. As McInerny notes, logic is a field with a profound bearing on our lives. A mastery of logic begins with an understanding of right reasoning--and encompasses a grasp of the kinship between logical thought and logical expression, a know ledge of the basic terms of argument, and a familiarity with the pitfalss of illogical thinking. Accordingly, McInerny structures his book as a series of brief chapters that build on one another to form a coherent introduction to clear and effective reasoning. At the heart of the book is a consideration of argument--how an argument is founded and elaborated, how it differs from other forms of intellectual discourse, and how it embodies the elements of logic. McInerny teases out the subtleties and complexities of premises and conclusions, differentiates statements of fact from statements of value, and discusses the principles and uses of every major type of argument, from the syllogistic to the conditional. In addition, he provides an incisive look at illogical thinking and explains how to recognize and avoid the most common errors of logic. In Being Logical, D. Q. McInerny breaks logic down to its essentials through clear analysis, accessible examples, and focused insights. Whether you are a student or a teacher, a professional honing your career skills or a generalist devoted to the fine points of thought and expression, you are sure to find Being Logical an invaluable guide to reasoning.