Product Description

Used in a variety of courses in various disciplines, Asking the Right Questions helps students bridge the gap between simply memorizing or blindly accepting information, and the greater challenge of critical analysis and synthesis.  Specifically, this concise text teaches students to think critically by exploring the components of arguments--issues, conclusions, reasons, evidence, assumptions, language--and on how to spot fallacies and manipulations and obstacles to critical thinking.  It teaches them to respond to alternative points of view and develop a solid foundation for making personal choices about what to accept and what to reject. 

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #74392 in Books
• Published on: 2009-07-23
• Binding: Paperback
• 192 pages

Customer Reviews

Never bettered - even in its 9th edition
Many months ago, I read Ask the Right Questions - 7th edition.

It had such a profound impact on my ability to analyse, that I've upgraded to the 9th edition.

There are few books that are worthy of purchasing updated editions of. But this is a rare book indeed. How many books make it to a 9th edition? And what does that imply? That the book is SO good, that it sells and sells and sells. Therefore you would expect the quality of the text to shine through.

If you can only afford 1 book on Critical Thinking, make sure it's this book.

Of particular value was the section on values and hidden assumptions. How an authors "personal" values will affect their "slant" on things. For example "State control" versus "Libertarian" or non state control.
Immediately you will see inherent personal bias that the author doesn't want you to see. You'll know to check the authors background, group memberships, past publications to find their "Vested interests".

You'll learn logical structures to making an argument. That if the reasons are weak, the conclusion will be weak and the argument will collapse.

This book has been described as "life changing" by reviewers in it's earlier editions. A high accolade indeed, but a worthy accolade.

I would be surprised if you didn't find this text one of the few worth having multiple copies of, as you cannot afford to lose it.