Fundamentals of Critical Argumentation

by Douglas N. Walton

Book Overview

Fundamentals of Critical Argumentation presents the basic tools for the identification, analysis, and evaluation of common arguments for beginners. The book teaches by using examples of arguments in dialogues, both in the text itself and in the exercises. Examples of controversial legal, political, and ethical arguments are analyzed. Illustrating the most common kinds of arguments, the book also explains how to evaluate each kind by critical questioning...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0521530202
• ISBN13: 9780521530200
• Release Date: October 2005
• Publisher: Cambridge University Press
• Length: 360 Pages
• Weight: 1.59 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.9" x 6.9" x 9.1"

Customer Reviews

Reasoning and Argumentation

I received the book in excellent condition. Everything I expected about the book were all very well presented. I had a similar book before, but lost it hence this is a good substitute. No problem encountered from ordering to receipt. Satisfied customer E2

Brilliant Book.

After reading a few books with argument or debate in the title, I finally found one that I really like. In fact I liked it so much that I am buying his other books about the subjects he covers in these chapters. He seems to take the state of the Art in informal Logic and argument studies and makes it easy to read for the lay person. In my opinion he does a better job of explaining the concepts that van Eemeren and Grootendorst write about than they do. If you are looking for a serious book about argument, and don't want to wade through the details of competitive debate preparation or the seminar style 'how to win an argument' self-help books then look no further. Douglas Walton is involved in developing algorithms behind aspects of Artificial Intelligence and many of his books are listed in the bibliography on the nonsequitur(dot)com blog (a logical analysis of political media). Check out his downloadable articles on his website. You can find it through Google.