Truth, Knowledge, or Just Plain Bull: How to Tell the Difference: A Handbook of Practical Logic and Clear Thinking

by Bernard M. Patten

Book Overview

Want to sort out the claims of experts, pseudo-experts, scam artists, and liars alike? Want to protect yourself from the dangers of the ubiquitous nonsense and outright frauds that assault you from every side? Want to become acquainted with the pleasurable activity of discovering truth while enhancing your sophistication as a thinker?In this erudite yet entertaining handbook on critical thinking, Dr. Bernard M. Patten uses neuroscience, psychology,...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1591022460
• ISBN13: 9781591022466
• Release Date: October 2004
• Publisher: Prometheus Books
• Length: 370 Pages
• Weight: 0.40 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.8" x 6.1" x 9.0"

Customer Reviews

Lovely.

Despite the typographical errors, I think this book is absolutely wonderful. The author is informative and funny enough to make me smile and want to continue reading. Definitely a great book for people who are just starting to dab their fingers into stuffy critical thinking and self improvement. Very fun.

"Truth, Knowledge or Just Plain Bull", Truly Two Thumbs Up!

Bernard Patten has done it again. He has written another compelling book, "Truth, Knowledge, or Just Plain Bull: How to Tell The Difference". It is not only a pleasure to read, but an excellent manual for life's daily challenges. He has a sense of humor that is and always has been superb. It is no wonder that his courses at Rice University are always a sellout. His advice is valuable and regularly usable, and one should place this paperback in one's must read list. In cinematic terms, I give it a "Two Thumbs Up".

Knowledge Thriller

Intellectually challenging content. My thinking was engrossed and put to the test at its maximum limits. I can not think of another book that has had the same effect. The writing style has an unusual charm that cuts right thru the boring task of learning logic. I had no idea that logic could be so powerful but by God it is, more so than prayer or a lethal weapon. I highly recommend Truth, Knowledge or Just Plain Bull to those that seek to empower their thinking abilities. This is the book for those want to be thinkers, pseudo-thinkers, confused thinkers, anonomys thinkers, thinkers of the present and future. This is the book of the century.

Don't Drink the Kool-Aid!

Since Eve took the first bite of the apple from the tree of knowledge "truth" in its purity has become a weapon through distortions and promises costing those seeking promised peace great expense and in some cases even the highest prices of all ... the lives of our loved ones. Anyone who is seeking truth ... not just a quick fix or a patch job ... will find Dr. Patten's book, Truth, Knowledge, or Just Plain Bull, a valuable tool in their arsenal of discernment as we are constantly being bombarded with lies and promises to fix your every woe if you will just buy this product, belong to this church or political party, follow this guideline, live here or there, etc. It is not a book for the faint of heart because I found myself caught in many of the traps hoping to find truth and the peace it promises in so many of the wrong ideas, feelings, places, and products. From what I understand from Patten, the search for truth is an honorable one. Truth does exist. But truth is free and its fruit is peace ... Not war, anarchy, chaos, hatred, or distain for others. Hard to imagine something so valuable costing nothing and you don`t even have to "drink Jones' Kool-Aid!" The issue raised is the cost of trust was a heavy one ... it is just that the bill has already been "paid in full" almost 2000 years ago.

A Classic - One of the best books I have ever read

This book has to be a classic because everytime I reread it I get more out of it. And I should know, I have reread it at least ten times. Not only is it right on target on how to improve your modes of thinking, it is fun and funny! Just the right thing for the up coming Presidential election where separating fact from fiction seems to be the major issue.