How to Win Every Argument

by Nicholas Capaldi

An introduction to Critical Thinking. Interesting Book. This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1567313302
• ISBN13: 9781567313307
• Release Date: January 1999
• Publisher: MJF Books
• Length: 222 Pages
• Weight: 0.05 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.7" x 5.6" x 8.5"

Customer Reviews

Based on the idea that "it takes one to know one"...

The author found that the best way to teach his philosophy students how to spot fallacies was to teach them the tricks of deceptive arguing--and it works. It eschews most of the passive, tedious techniques commonly used, with a lively, amusing tutorial on how never to lose an argument. Not just limited to formal Socratic debate, it discusses how to approach different audiences, considering how to handle adverse facts, and ways to make your argument 'win' even when it is logically weaker.If more people read and understood this book, 99% of op-ed columnists would be out of a job!

Learn Through Example

One of the reviewers gave this book only one star because the book showed (the reviewer seems to think the author is actually advocating the use of)methods to deceive others. While accurate to some extent, the motive for such instruction was to highlight ways people may use to deceive the reader. In his Introduction, the author indicated he would teach the reader methods of deception so the reader will recognize and avoid attempts by others to deceive the reader through similar devices. In this, the book is quite successful. With all the propaganda thrown at us by politicians and the so-called "News" media,the teachings in this book are indispensable for anyone hoping to avoid being sucked in. Too basic for the trained logician, but an excellent discussion for the rest of us.

Great Book

I am a high school debater. This book is absolutely one of the best books written for philosophical debate.However, I would caution the casual user about buying this book. It will NOT help you win your everday arguments with your boss, collegues, trash disposal, etc...The ideas are very simple without unnecessary analysis into the depths of logic. Implementing the techniques into debate has been very easy. The book avoids undue jargon and symbols found in other logic books.The book isin't afraid to expose some technques of deception, which might include unethical abuses of language during a debate. Exposing these helps you tremendously, now one can be able to identify deception as well as use it on an unsuspecting opponent.