You need the teacher's manual to get something out of this book ....December 27, 2008 I'm about to enter law school next year so I decided to work on my critical thinking skills by buying this book.
Overall, the book is good in terms of the scope of material covered and the authors provide plenty of material for study. However, the book provides only a limited number of answers to the practice exercises at the back of each chapter, which from a pedagogical perspective is a drawback, especially if you are new to the study of critical thinking.
Not knowing whether my analysis of the exercises in the back of each chapter is right or wrong is frustrating. For instance, chapter six of this book covers argumentative fallacies and provides 132 arguments for analysis at the end of the chapter that may or may not have at least one of the 31 types of fallacies covered in chapters five and six. Unfortunately, the book provides the answer to only 20 arguments of the 132. What's worse, most of the answers are for easy exercises, and most of the harder ones don't have an answer. Although reading about the different types of argumentative fallacies is instructive, it is only through practice that one learns to spot them and argue against them. Knowing whether one's analysis of an argument is right or wrong is essential in learning critical thinking through practice. Not having the answers reduces the analysis to a guess, which is not a good way to learn any subject, not just critical thinking.
I searched the web for a study guide for this edition (8th), but could not find one. I also used the book website but it does little to supplement the practice exercises.
I gave this book three stars because although it covers a lot of material, it did little to help me learn critical thinking through practice.
My suggestion to anyone who is considering buying this book for self study is to look elsewhere if you want a book that will help you practice critical thinking with confidence.
school book orderSeptember 16, 2008 0 out of 1 found this review helpful
I was pleased with the book especially the timeliness with which I recei ved the order. Thanks!
Insightful Book!September 14, 2008 1 out of 1 found this review helpful
This book was required for a Philosophy class I took last year and I understand why. Moore & Parker do not spare any feelings as they guide the reader through the critical thinking process. This has nothing to do with being liberal or conservative, as another reviewer commented; it does have everything to do with being a fantastic book for developing strong critical thinking skills. Before I studied this book, I thought I would despise Philosophy and especially critical thinking, mainly because I didn't consider myself an extremely logical person. (I told my professor that more than once and he just smiled - and gave me an "A" in the course.) Moore & Parker showed me how wrong I was. My critical thinking skills (essential for everything of merit we do) are well-honed, in large part because of this book. It is on my bookshelf and will stay there. Highly recommended.
Interesting!June 22, 2008 I bought this book for my Phil 102 class and never thought I'd even like the subject. This book was interesting, and made me laugh a little. I can now say, I know how to argue with people better than before!
Needs HelpFebruary 24, 2008 3 out of 18 found this review helpful
I think this book has been watered down so many times simply because the author's ran out of words to write. They have split the meanings so many times that there is now no clear definition. Every expample that they use is also from a very liberal slat, it's no wonder since they are from Chico State. By the way this is call not just an ad hominem but a personal attack ad hominem or in plain speak...an insult!
