Rowman & Littlefield Publishers
Pages: 164
•
Trim: 6⅜ x 9½
978-1-4422-0521-5 • Hardback • August 2011 • $105.00 • (£81.00)
978-1-4422-0522-2 • Paperback • August 2011 • $32.00 • (£25.00)
978-1-4422-0523-9 • eBook • September 2011 • $30.00 • (£25.00)
M. Andrew Holowchak is assistant professor of philosophy at Rider University. His research interests are principally in ancient philosophy, philosophy and history of science, Freudian psychoanalysis, critical reasoning, and philosophy of sport. He is the author of multiple books, including Ancient Science and Dreams, Happiness and Greek Ethical Thought, The Stoics, and Critical Reasoning and Science.
Preface
Acknowledgements
Part I: Introductory Concerns
Module 1: What is Philosophy?
Module 2: Philosophy & Critical Reasoning
Part II: Reading Philosophy
Module 3: General Form of a Philosophical Work
Module 4: Four Helpful Steps
Part III: Evaluating Philosophy
Section A: Argument Recognition & Reconstruction
Module 5: Elements of Argument Recognition
Module 6: Standard Argument Form
Section B: Argument Evaluation
Module 7: Setting the Logical Boundaries
Module 8: Conditions of Acceptance & Rejection
Module 9: Three Common Deductive Arguments
Module 10: Common Inductive Arguments
Module 11: Common Fallacies
Section C: Reconstruction through Diagramming
Module 12: Fundamentals of Diagramming
Module 13: 10 Diagrammatical Tips
Part IV: Writing Philosophy
Section A: Preliminaries for Philosophical Essays
Module 14: 13 General Tips for Writing
Module 15: Tips of Avoidance
Module 16: Common Mistakes
Section B: Writing Philosophical Essays
Module 17: Preparing an Outline
Module 18: Writing a Philosophical Thesis
Module 19: Simple Critical Essay
Module 20: Synthetic Critical Essay
Section C: Revising & Rewriting Philosophical Essays
Module 21: Motivating a Rewrite
Module 22: Suggestions for Revising and Rewriting Essays
Appendices
Appendix A: Some Exercises for Diagramming
Appendix B: Teacher/Student Comment Sheet
Appendix C: Plan-for-Revision Sheet
List of Sources Cited
Praise for the Previous Edition:This clearly written manual aims to teach students in introductory courses some fundamental critical reasoning techniques for reading and writing philosophic materials. Though written for budding philosophers, this book will also benefit those undergraduates who want to write concise, tightly argued papers. Recommended.
— Choice Reviews
This book presents clearly basic elements of practical reasoning and explains how to use them in reading philosophical works and writing essays. Recommended for introductory courses stressing critical thinking.
— Allan Bäck, Kutztown University
Ideal as supplement to primary texts in introductory philosophy courses. Modular approach effective in making philosophy accessible to beginners.
— Dr. Robert C. Good, Rider University
• Concerns reading, evaluating, and writing philosophy
• Short modules make for a user-friendly format and easy-to-read and digestible chunks
• One of the best, most thorough discussion of argument diagramming
• Covers most common arguments types and fallacies
• Walks students through the writing and rewriting of a philosophy paper
• Covers writing mistakes
• Five appendices with two sample essays and outline, diagramming exercises, a comment sheet, adn sheet that sets up a plan for revising one's essay.