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Asking the Right Questions: A Guide to Critical Thinking (8th Edition) (Paperback) (Paperback)
by Neil Browne, Stuart Keeley
| Category:
Business, Innovation, Critical thinking |
| Market price: ¥ 378.00
MSL price:
¥ 348.00
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MSL rating:
 Good for Gifts |
| MSL Pointer Review:
This book is a very balanced and thorough approach to critical thinking! |
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Author: Neil Browne, Stuart Keeley
Publisher: Prentice Hall
Pub. in: January, 2006
ISBN: 0132203049
Pages: 240
Measurements: 8.9 x 5.8 x 0.6 inches
Origin of product: USA
Order code: BA01031
Other information: 8 edition
ISBN-13: 978-0132203043
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- MSL Picks -
Asking the Right Questions is a practical book in the category of Critical Thinking or Informal Logic. It discusses a set of questions that may be used to analyze and evaluate rational arguments. After a short introduction explaining the scope, purpose, and relative usefulness of thinking critically, the book divides into chapters, each centered around a particular critical question, e.g., "What significant information is omitted?" and "How good is the evidence?"
Throughout the text, the vocabulary of informal logic is introduced. Arguments are defined, a nice distinction is made between descriptive and prescriptive assumptions, and most of the major fallacies are discussed. While the text is not a complete reference in these respects, it covers most of the basic terms and structural features of arguments with which those new to the field should be familiar.
This book would be appropriate for bright high school students, undergraduates, or anyone wishing to develop their critical thinking skills. If you, like many others, frequently find that most of the arguments you read or hear seem to "make sense" and would like guidance in deciding whether to accept or reject a particular claim (and why), then you would likely find reading this book to be enlightening and rewarding.
Target readers:
High school students, undergraduates, or anyone wishing to develop their critical thinking skills.
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This book helps readers bridge the gap between simply memorizing or blindly accepting information and the greater challenge of critical analysis and synthesis. It teaches them to respond to alternative points of view and develop a solid foundation for making personal choices about what to accept and what to reject as they read and listen. Chapter titles include: The Benefit of Asking the Right Questions; What are the Issue and the Conclusion?; What Are the Reasons?; What Are the Value Conflicts and Assumptions?; Are There Any Fallacies in the Reasoning?; How Good Is the Evidence: Intuition, Appeals to Authority, and Testimonials?; and What Reasonable Conclusions Are Possible?. For any critical reader who wants to enhance and develop better reasoning skills in order to make rational decisions.
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David Pennington (MSL quote), USA
<2007-07-04 00:00>
I found Asking the Right Questions (ARQ) to be a very balanced and thorough approach to critical thinking. I am an electrical engineer by profession... I am well-regarded by my peers as an careful thinker; however, I have found myself frustrated at times when discussing controversial issues with friends... some lines of thought don't ring true, but are nonetheless hard to refute. After reading ARQ, I found that these dilemmas are frequently the result of not agreeing on the definitions of ambiguous terms (e.g. oppression, sexism, racism) or on some logical fallicies that was used. This has made a quite difference in my ability to discern the issues at hand.
ARQ uses a systematic list of questions to review the proposed thesis. These questions are designed to help you understand their conclusion, and evaluate their supporting evidence. Throughout the book, you are encouraged to set your own biases aside in favor of rationally evaluating the evidence. Furthermore, you receive some brief instruction on typical logical fallicies. Ad hominem attacks are addressed; however, I disagree with a prior reviewer's assertion that this is nothing new. Indeed some of us grew up in homes that did not value name-calling, but that is just the start of an ad-hominem attack. Many times discussions get sidetracked by implicit accusations about a person's character. As an example, this statement (greatly simplified here) was recently used on me, "you couldn't possibly be able to think critically, because your spiritual convictions make you biased." Until I read ARQ, I had a hard time realizing that this is actually a diversionary tactic used to sidetrack the discussion. If I accept this "evidence", the issue now becomes my credibility, instead of discussing my actual position on the issue.
Another good point the authors make is that that the mere existence of a logical fallicy should be not used as a means to halt discussion:
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When you spot a [logical] fallacy, you have found a legitimate basis for rejecting the argument. But in the spirit of constructive critical thinking, you want to continue the discussion of the issue.... [if the] fallacy occured in an oral argument your best bet for an enduring conversation is to ask the person who committed the fallacy if there is not a better reason for the conclusion. (ARQ, 6th ed, p 105)
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Finally, this book doesn't try to give you the "right answers" to controversial issues. They teach you how to find those answers on your own. In many cases, there are no right or wrong answers... simply a difference in the core values of the individuals.
I have been very pleased with the thoughtful approach that ARQ uses. I believe that every high-school and college student should be required to read it.
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H. Arsham (MSL quote), USA
<2007-07-04 00:00>
Asking the Right Questions: A Guide to Critical Thinking by M. Neil Brownie and Stuart Kelley is an in-depth handbook on critical thinking techniques that enable us to evaluate arguments and question the quality of the reasoning that leads to a certain conclusion. The authors state that too often we accept what we see and hear, becoming passive absorbers of information rather than critical listeners or readers. They go on to caution us against adapting a belief as our own before examining the validity of arguments for or against. We should ask questions in order to reach our own personal opinion or decision.
Although not its purpose, Asking the Right Questions actually provides great insight into the art of brainwashing. The authors' meticulous journey through the techniques of critical thinking reveals how we too frequently accept what we are told without ever questioning the source of the material. As we are bombarded daily with information, there are so many opportunities for misunderstanding and deception. How easily we surrender our power to others by allowing them, in so many subtle ways, to control our opinions and beliefs! For it truly is difficult to "pan for gold" and make our own choices.
By the same token, it is extremely easy for others to utilize ambiguous language, assumptions, invalid arguments and biased evidence to persuade or convince us that their opinions are "right". Sadly, most of us are not even aware that we are being led - we just don't "see" the faulty logic in many arguments or question the data being provided. The authors' critical questions and clues are invaluable in analyzing examples of flawed reasoning.
This book is a mind-expanding experience for almost everyone. It is a newfound freedom that will forever alter your perception and your approach to thinking process.
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A reader (MSL quote), USA
<2007-07-04 00:00>
ASKING THE RIGHT QUESTIONS has been a phenomenal influence in my life. From start to finish, it helped me to rid myself of one of my foremost enemies: sloppy thought.
The book is superbly organized, well written, and extremely easy to follow. Additionally, the fifth edition's graphics add an extra dose of spice to enhance the book's readability.
I have found that after reading ARQ, I have been able to apply its critical thinking tips to all of my college classes, from history to English and from econ. to law. Furthermore, by enhancing my critical thinking skills, I have been more effective as a consumer and a citizen as well. Most importantly, however, ARQ inspired me to question the evidence for many of my previously-held beliefs en route to becoming a lifelong learner.
I have recommended this book to many friends, classmates, and even former teachers. I would encourage any person who is interested in developing her or his mind to read ARQ. Not only doe! s it provide readers with the skills necessary to be a critical thinker, but it also imbues them with the spirit of intellectual curiosity that only true learners possess.
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A reader (MSL quote), USA
<2007-07-04 00:00>
This book has been a tremendously positive influence on my life as well as on the lives of those to whom I have recommended it! Before studying "Asking the Right Questions," I was well educated, but nevertheless my thinking was often muddled and illogical. As a graduate student, this book helped me to better define my own ideas as well as understand the ideas of others. I learned how to engage in truly meaningful discourse with others about ideas and principles because I could apply a more rational approach. Differences of opinion became engaging rather than destructive or unproductive. This book and its philosophy gives me hope in the idea of the "democracy of ideas."
As a college professor, I use this book in all of my classes and require students to purchase it. We work on one skill a week as we learn the course content. Students regularly report that having a class focused around critical thinking is a unique and highly valuable experience. While I find it sad and disturbing that few college students are exposed to such skills regularly, I find it encouraging the ARQ provides an effective forum to help me teach these skills. The book is engaging, with many current examples and vivid illustrations. The reading level is appropriate for anyone in high school or higher. And because the content and skills are ones that are pertinent to any individual or college major or profession, it can be integrated into virtually any course. I especially think it would be an excellent foundation for the first-year seminars that are so popular on college campuses.
While I use this book in a classroom setting, it is one that an individual can easily benefit from. I recommended it to my mom, who said, "This book taught me more about evaluating ideas on tv, from politicians, and from other books than anything else I've ever done or read!" She found the examples and exercises quite engaging and helpful.
The ideas and philosophy of "Asking the Right Questions" have the potential to profoundly change an individual by making them a better, smarter thinker! I think it should be required reading for all of us.
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