Why logic and rhetoric matter

“A man who does not think for himself does not think at all.” — Oscar Wilde

There is a moment, familiar to almost everyone, when an argument gets away from you. You felt certain you were right. You had facts on your side, or at least what felt like facts. And somehow the conversation still slipped into confusion, raised voices, or a stalemate that satisfied no one.

Welcome to the problem this book exists to solve.

We live in an era saturated with information and starved of wisdom. Every day brings a new flood of claims, counterclaims, opinions dressed as facts, and facts stripped of context. This book is a rescue mission: a practical education in logic and rhetoric — the art of clear thinking and the art of persuasive communication.

What an argument is (and is not)

The word “argument” has a bad reputation. In common usage it means a fight. But in the logical sense, an argument is a set of premises offered as reasons for a conclusion. It is distinct from a mere assertion, and distinct from a description.

“The economy is struggling.” (An observation.)

“The economy is definitely struggling — it’s obvious to anyone paying attention.” (An assertion with emphasis, still not an argument.)

“The economy is struggling, as evidenced by rising unemployment, falling consumer spending, and declining business investment.” (An argument — premises offered for a conclusion.)

Only the third gives us something to evaluate, challenge, or refine.

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