A complete guide to using-and indeed abusing-logic in order to win arguments
Madsen Pirie identifies with devastating examples all the most common fallacies popularly used in arguments. We all like to think of ourselves as clear-headed and logical-but all readers will find in this book fallacies of which they themselves are guilty. The author shows you how to simultaneously strengthen your own thinking and identify the weaknesses in other people arguments. And, more mischievously, Pirie also shows how to be deliberately illogical-and get away with it! This book will make you maddeningly smart: your family, friends and opponents will all wish that you had never read it.
The book includes entries on:
• Affirming the consequent
• Blinding with science
• Conclusion which denies premises
• Emotional appeals
• The Exception that proves the rule
• Half-concealed qualification
• Poisoning the well
• Positive conclusion from negative premise
• Shifting the burden of proof
• Trivial questions
• Wishful thinking