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Summary: Simplistic workbook aimed at psychology undergrads
Review: I came across this book by accident and ordered it due to the strength of the online reviews. However, had I had a quick browse of it first I wouldn't have. I expected a serious attempt at systematically categorizing fallacies in thinking. What it actually is is a very rudimentary workbook for undergraduate psychology students that introduces some common failures in reasoning in a very simplistic way. For that purpose it may be fine. If you have already done much thinking or reading in this area you are likely to find this book dissapointing, and in a number of areas surprisingly naive.
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Summary: I use this to help teach software testers.
Review: I teach software testers how to explore and analyze products. I recommend this book to all my students. I found it entertaining and insightful. But, the main thing I like about the book is that it's set up so that every chapter is a standalone tool for analysis. You can read and use one chapter without having to read any of the others. I collect books on critical thinking, and this is the only one I feel I can recommend to casual students of the art.
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Summary: Levy's book is lucid, witty, a gem.
Review: Levy's book is a thoughtful, witty and ultimately compelling argument in support of developing critical thinking skills. Not only does he illuminate examples of sloppy or lazy thinking, but he provides understandable tools for sharpening the reader's critical faculties. More importantly, and without pedantry, he highlights the real perils of our current age's inclination to accept overly-simplified or fashionably vague ideas as "truths"---notions that can lead to conformity, a failure of imagination, and an inability to discern fact from opinion. I can recommend this book highly as both a text for college students, and a primer for the general reader interested in keeping the mental machinery free from cobwebs.
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Summary: Good ideas, bad book
Review: Levy's superb book will sharpen your perceptions, heighten your awareness, broaden your vision, and make you laugh along the way! Woven throughout the book is Levy's message that our ears and eyes must become attuned to the various pitches of human language and behavior -- that if we hear and see only from one level, we will miss wht is essential. After reading TOOLS OF CRITICAL THINKING, things never again appear the same.
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Summary: I HAVE read this book
Review: The topic of critical thinking has always interested me, but I must confess that my curiosity in this particular book actually was piqued by its synopses and reviews (especially those below). So, in the philosophical tradition of skepticism (and as one who strives to be a good "critical thinker"), I decided to check it out for myself. To say that I was impressed would be a gross understatement. Levy's book surpassed my wildest expectations. I found myself concurring wholeheartedly with the comments of Drs. Szasz, Loftus, Taylor, Peplau, et al. (all of whom are highly respected, tenured faculty at prestigious institutions of higher learning and noted experts in relevant fields). In short, the book is a masterpiece. It is not only informative, enlightening, and a sheer pleasure to read, it is also (in stark contrast to philosophy courses in "logic") actually USEFUL as applied to real life. But don't take my (or anyone else's) word for it. See for yourself. You won't be disappointed.
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Summary: Lives up to its advertising.
Review: Well written, with easy to understand examples of fallacious thought. The exercises are well thought out as well, helping the reader to really grok the subject.
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Summary: Lives up to its advertising.
Review: Well written, with easy to understand examples of fallacious thought. The exercises are well thought out as well, helping the reader to really grok the subject.
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