Good Reasoning Matters!: A Constructive Approach to Critical Thinking

Everyone thinks. But what does it mean to think critically? And what does it mean to create a good or a bad argument? In an age of fast technological and informational advances, living and working in the world is frequently and dramatically changing. We are constantly bombarded with messages conveyed via newspapers, television, and radio through to the social media that is now part of everyday life. The amount of information available to us is immense and growing rapidly. Designed to help students develop the quality of their thinking and to respond effectively to these often confusing and contradictory messages,Good Reasoning Matters! offers a guide to evaluating and constructing arguments. In addition to examining the most common features of faulty reasoning, the text introduces a variety of argument schemes and rhetorical techniques that will help students solve problems and construct sound arguments. Extensive exercises and examples taken from sources such as social media sites, newspapers, and topical news articles encourage students to consider a wide range of views and perspectives.

With new features including a glossary, chapter summaries, and extensive revised exercises throughout, Good Reasoning Matters! is an essential text for courses in critical reasoning.

The fifth edition of Good Reasoning Matters! offers:

A straightforward and valuable introduction to the principles of good reasoning.

Many new examples of arguments drawn from a variety of classical and contemporary sources.

Significant discussion of non-verbal -- especially visual-arguments.

Updated features including a glossary, chapter summaries, and links to exercises and quizzes online.

A revamped companion website with additional resources for both instructors and students.