Critical Reasoning and the Art of Argumentation

This revised edition draws on years of lecturing experience and feedback from students — the result is a popular, lively and accessible book which offers an improved and reader-friendly introduction to the art of clear thinking. Developing and applying critical reasoning skills is globally recognised as a basic competency, like reading and writing, and critical thinkers who think for themselves are the key role players in a free and democratic society. This reader features several up-to-date examples from major South African sociopolitical events from the past few years, including the Zuma trial, political conflict, race relations, and xenophobia. Other examples are based on events that took place in the rest of Africa and the world. New exercises are drawn from newspapers, advertisements, political speeches, literary works, and debates about xenophobic violence, crime, the death penalty, abortion, euthanasia, inequality, and health care. Numerous activities lead readers to practise critical reasoning skills. The book is valuable to students of Philosophy but also for those studying Communication Science, Development Studies, Health Care, Law, English Studies, Medical Ethics, Political Science, Psychology and Public Administration.