T. Ryan Byerly - Introducing Logic and Critical Thinking: The Skills of Reasoning and the Virtues of Inquiry

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Title Page

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Preface for Instructors

Part 1: The Skills of Reasoning

1. Introduction to Arguments

1.1 Arguments vs. Nonarguments

1.1.1 Statements: The Building Blocks of Arguments

1.1.2 The Construction of Arguments: Premise and Conclusion Indicators

1.1.3 Arguments vs. Nonarguments

1.1.4 Summary

Exercise 1.1

1.2 Evaluating Arguments

1.2.1 Evaluating Arguments in Two Steps

1.2.2 Key Evaluative Features: Validity, Invalidity, Soundness, Unsoundness

1.2.3 Key Evaluative Features: Strength, Weakness, Cogency, Uncogency

1.2.4 Relationships between Key Evaluative Features

1.2.5 Summary

Exercise 1.2

2. Deductive Logic

2.1 Famous Forms Method

2.1.1 Identifying Argument Forms

2.1.2 Famous Valid Argument Forms

2.1.3 Using the Famous Forms Method Effectively

2.1.4 Summary

Exercise 2.1

2.2 Counterexample Method

2.2.1 Identifying Argument Forms

2.2.2 Providing Good Counterexamples

2.2.3 Using the Counterexample Method Effectively

2.2.4 Summary

Exercise 2.2

2.3 Venn Diagram Method

2.3.1 Evaluating Categorical Syllogisms with Venn Diagrams

2.3.2 Transforming Arguments into Categorical Syllogisms

2.3.3 Summary

Exercise 2.3

2.4 Proof Method

2.4.1 The Symbols of the Proof Method

2.4.2 Constructing Proofs

2.4.3 Summary

Exercise 2.4

2.5.1 New Symbols of the Expanded Proof Method

2.5.2 New Inference Rules of the Expanded Proof Method

2.5.3 Summary

Exercise 2.5

3. Inductive Logic

3.1 Statistical Syllogism

3.1.1 Identifying Statistical Syllogisms

3.1.2 Evaluating Statistical Syllogisms for Strength

3.1.3 Summary

Exercise 3.1

3.2 Induction by Enumeration

3.2.1 Key Features of Induction by Enumeration

3.2.2 Evaluating Induction by Enumeration for Strength

3.2.3 Combining Induction by Enumeration and Statistical Syllogism

3.2.4 Summary

Exercise 3.2

3.3 Arguments from Authority

3.3.1 Authorities, Assertion, and What Is Asserted

3.3.2 Evaluating Arguments from Authority

3.3.3 Complex Arguments Using Arguments from Authority

3.3.4 Summary

Exercise 3.3

3.4 Arguments from Analogy

3.4.1 Identifying Arguments from Analogy

3.4.2 Evaluating Arguments from Analogy

3.4.3 Summary

Exercise 3.4

3.5 Inference to the Best Explanation

3.5.1 Key Features of Inferences to the Best Explanation

3.5.2 Evaluating Inferences to the Best Explanation

3.5.3 Summary

Exercise 3.5

Part 2: The Virtues of Inquiry

4. Internal Virtues

4.1 Love of Intellectual Excellence

4.1.1 The Imperatives of Loving Intellectual Excellence

4.1.2 Vices of Intellectual Motivation

4.1.3 Summary

Exercise 4.1

4.2 Intellectual Courage and Caution

4.2.1 Navigating Obstacles to Inquiry

4.2.2 Courage, Caution, and Opposing Vices

4.2.3 Summary

Exercise 4.2

4.3 Introspective Vigilance

4.3.1 Bad Patterns of Inquiry and Their Remedies

4.3.2 Vigilance, Aloofness, and Arrogance

4.3.3 Summary

Exercise 4.3

5. Virtues of Intellectual Dependence

5.1 Trust

5.1.1 The Nature and Value of Trust

5.1.2 Credulity, Condescension, and Injustice

5.1.3 Summary

Exercise 5.1

5.2.1 The Nature and Value of Interpretive Charity

5.2.2 Interpretive Stinginess and Interpretive Face Blindness

5.2.3 Summary

Exercise 5.2

5.3 Intellectual Empathy

5.3.1 The Nature of Intellectual Empathy

5.3.2 Obstacles to Intellectual Empathy

5.3.3 Summary

Exercise 5.3

6. Virtues of Intellectual Dependability

6.1 Intellectual Generosity

6.1.1 The Foundations and Key Features of Intellectual Generosity

6.1.2 Vices Opposed to Intellectual Generosity

6.1.3 Summary

Exercise 6.1

6.2 Communicative Clarity

6.2.1 Confusing Words and Grammar

6.2.2 Confusing Structures

6.2.3 Summary

Exercise 6.2

6.3 Audience Sensitivity

6.3.1 Four Features of an Audience

6.3.2 Vices Opposed to Audience Sensitivity

6.3.3 Summary

Exercise 6.3

Appendix: Argument Forms and Proof Rules

Notes

Glossary of Key Terms

Bibliography

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