The subtitle to this slender volume (only 131 pages), is “A Guide to Good Thinking.”  Logic is not a subject only to be utilized and studied by philosophy professors and college students; it is a subject that should be pursued by all, in some measure, since we should all desire to think well.  In the preface, McInerny writes, “Logic is about clear and effective thinking.  It is a science and an art.  This book is intended to introduce readers to the rudiments of the science as well as to the basic skills associated with the art…my aim here is very modest.  This is neither a treatise in logical theory nor a textbook in logic…My governing purpose was to write a practical guidebook, presenting the basic principles of logic in a way that is accessible to those who are encountering the subject for the first time.”  

In my opinion, McInerny delivers what he promises in the preface.  This book is very readable and accessible.  In the first portion, he helps the reader ’prepare’ his mind for logic.  Someone who desires to think clearly should exercise attentiveness when listening to someone present an argument; they should seek to get all their facts straight and the should avoid vague and ambiguous language-just to name a few. 

In part two, he lays down some foundational principles in logic like the principle of identity (a thing is what it is) and the principle of the excluded middle (between being and non-being there is no middle state), the principle of sufficient reason (there is sufficient reason for everything) and the principle of contradiction (it is impossible for something to be and not be at the same time and in the same respect).  He also instructs his readers to be aware of generalizing and the importance of defining one’s terms.

In the third section of the book, McInerny introduces his readers to the structures of good arguments, and in the fourth and final section of the book, he helps his readers identify forms of illogical thinking; otherwise known as logical fallacies. 

Scattered throughout the book were some excellent quotes that I think would be immediately helpful for both our blogging and our conversations:

Argumentation: “Argument is rational discourse.  It is not to be confused with quarreling.  The object of argument is to get at the truth.  The object of quarreling is to get at other people.  There are any number of folk who, though happy to quarrel with you, are either unwilling or unable to argue with you.  Don’t waste your time and energy trying to argue with people who will not or cannot argue” (97-98). 

Right Reasons for Argumentation: “To use reasoning for any purpose other than attaining the truth is to misuse it…In the ideal debate, the primary purpose of the debaters is not to triumph over each other, but rather by their combined efforts to ferret out the truth as it pertains to the issues being debated” (97).  

Rules for Forming a Good Argument: “The ideal argument allows people to see that something is true on the basis of evidence.  The only force that an honest arguer wants to use is the force of reason.  The alternative to moving people by force of reason is doing so by raw power.  People can be forced to do what they do not want to do, but they cannot be forced to think what they want to think.  They cannot be coerced into accepting what is true.  In argument, coercion invariably backfires.  People will accept the truth only when they can do so freely, having seen for themselves that what is presented as true is in fact true” (115-116).

Don’t Use Easy Ridicule to Dismiss an Argument:  “To be sure, there are arguments that are comically inept and therefore deserving of laughter.  But even in those cases it is better, rather than dismissing an argument with easy ridicule, to take the time to show how and why it fails as an argument” (123).

Find Root Causes: “Sometimes our failure to find the root causes of things is attributable to simple laziness.  We don’t push the investigation far enough.  Other times, it is impatience which works against us.  We are so pressed by the need to ‘do something’ that we settle for quick-fixes, stop gap measures, while the basic problem remains essentially undisturbed” (35). 

Use Clear and Truthful Language: “If we consistently use language that serves to distort reality, we can eventually come to believe our own twisted rhetoric” (19). 

Avoid Contradictions by Being Truthful: “The avoidance of contradiction, therefore, is simply the avoidance of falsehood” (29). 

Clear Communication:“It is impossible to have clear communication without clear thinking.  How can I give you a clear idea of something if it is not first clear in my mind” (14)?

Overall, this was a very helpful book and I am happy to recommend it.  It is readable, clear, and will prove, I trust, to be a benefit to anyone who desires to think well.