Logic and Contemporary Rhetoric: The Use of Reason in Everyday Life

by Howard Kahane

This text introduces readers to good reasoning using a wealth of current, relevant, and stimulating examples all put together in Howard Kahane's witty and invigorating writing style. Examples from TV, newspapers, magazines, advertisements, and of course, our political institutions, not only bring the concepts alive for readers, but put them into a context that readers will retain and use throughout their lives.

Genres: Philosophy, Nonfiction, Logic, Psychology, Textbooks, Politics, Teaching

369 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1971

About the author

Howard Kahane (19 April 1928 – 2 May 2001) was a professor of philosophy at Bernard M. Baruch College in New York City. He was noted for promoting a popular, and non-mathematical, approach to logic, now known as informal logic. His best known publication in that area is his textbook Logic and Contemporary Rhetoric: The Use of Reason in Everyday Life. Another textbook of his that saw posthumous publication is Logic and Philosophy: A Modern Introduction.

Kahane graduated with a BA (1954) and master's degree (1958) from the University of California at Los Angeles, and received a Ph.D. from the University of Pennsylvania in 1962. Before Baruch College, Kahane taught at Whitman College, the University of Kansas, American University and the University of Maryland at Baltimore.

Reviews

[* kyrat · Rating 5 out of 5]

I think everyone should be required to take a Critical Thinking class in high school.

This book, (or any similar book about the use of logic) is something that I urge everyone to read someday.
(if you had time to read Harry Potter or Shades of Grey you have time to at least skim a book on logic)

This book is one of the most valuable books I have ever read. It's been about 25 years since I read it, but I still remember it and often refer back to it This week, an acquaintance's argument that she "felt" something was true because she saw a lot of examples of it around her -- even though statistically she was wrong that it was not a common occurance in general - was the logical fallacy of "provincialism"
Before reading this book, I often felt like something I read or heard "didn't sound right" or failed to convince me, but until I had the knowledge and the vocabulary to identify a "straw man argument",I often had a hard time rebutting or even clarifying the problem I had with someone's statement.

Critical thinking seems to be a skill that a lot of people lack. The number of people spouting logical fallacies that I encounter every day is simply amazing. Not just coworkers and acquaintances - but politicians, newscasters and many others. These logical fallacies are often intentionally used to mislead and confuse.

Understanding logic (and its fallacies) is vital to being an intelligent and informed person who can communicate effectively.

[Teerabhat Ruensiri · Rating 4 out of 5]

Arguably the best introduction to the subject. Don't be mistaken though. It is an introduction through and through.

P.S. This may sound nitpicking but it disturbs me how the authors classify my edition as international yet refer to U.S. as if it's my nation and assume that I'll share the experience with American reader (for an example, referring to the content of American textbook.)

[Cath Ennis · Rating 2 out of 5]

Meh. I enjoyed the first half, on formal logic and logical fallacies, but was less interested in the second, on (American) media, politics, and textbooks.

For an edition that was published in 2006, a lot of the latter type of content seemed more out of date than you'd expect in just 13 years. I know it's not the authors' fault that the media and political landscapes got so crazy so quickly, but even so. The various "political correctness gone mad" rants have dated particularly badly. Surely this:

"didn't certain Native Americans make some kind of mistake when they demonstrated during the 1995 World Series against the "demeaning symbols" used by the beloved Cleveland Indians and the Atlanta Braves?"

was already an eyebrow-raising POV in 2006? Or am I committing some kind of logical fallacy in thinking so?

There's also a section header that says "History Texts Have Gone Overboard on Multiculturalism", and some other examples of content that for me at least really detracted from the reading experience and turned it into something of a slog.

[Kohl Gill · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great introduction to the (mis)use of reason.

[Bruce · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read the original edition, not the newer revisions, so the examples were mostly older. But since I am also "older," they were still pertinent and I could easily think of modern examples which fit the bill. This book should be the basis for a required course in all liberal arts colleges in America, and in most high schools as well. I'm glad I re-found this in my basement.

[Paul Juniper · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book taught me a lot about critical reasoning and judgement.

[Don · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’ve scanned the seventh edition of this text. It is clearly written, provides basic terminology and natural language logical forms, and dedicates several chapters to the explanation of common varieties of “fallacious reasoning,” each well illustrated through sampling of political arguments, advertising, and related sources from mostly American and British sources. These examples engage the reader/learner quickly in applying the ideas to practical, commonly encountered situations. A fine tool for fine-tuning thinking about the utterances and writings of fellow humans.

[Aaron Cliff · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked this book, but what was most in the face to me was the speed at which our society has changed from when the book was written (2008 ed.) and the time I read it (2022). The issues brought up as "contemporary" for those in the late 2000's were so different than now. I guess I should get used to the speed of time.

Either way, this book is very enjoyable, well written and easy to read. Would recommend.

[Vincent Jackson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was my text book for a college class named "Decision Making and Advocacy." The best, most memorable class of my entire education. One class. One book. Many decades later I'm smarter because of the contents I mastered in this book. The challenge is to fully grasp the first chapter. If you totally comprehend the first 10-12 pages. The remainder of the book will make sense.

[Simon · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a book for my Poli Sci 200 class on research methodology. I liked all the examples. I learned a lot.

[Marshal Mdeza · Rating 5 out of 5]

I first spotted this book in the Malawi Polytechnic Library in 1989; then in its fourth edition, now in tenth edition. It is a whole classroom of logic without having to enroll for some philosophy course. A must read for all aspiring politicians, so they avoid being bozos on political podiums!

[Inggita · Rating 3 out of 5]

my first rhetoric textbook - great reference - i loved the quotes

[Samson Blackwell · Rating 2 out of 5]

A basic, slanted overview of the subject. Not very inspiring or informative.

[Vikki Araiza · Rating 5 out of 5]

ARGHHHHHHHH

[Sanjeev]

Thoroughly enjoyed