That's not An Argument, that's Just Contradiction.
Who doesn’t love a good argument?
Who would like to put their point better?
Why is it so hard to meet objections with logical persuasion?
How could a comedy team be so funny and yet outline a concept so clearly?
Let’s talk about a book about argument and a little about Monty Python.
The book is Think Again – How to Reason and Argue by Walter Sinnott-Armstrong and it is what it says it is. Everything you wanted to know about the need and construction of argument, what they are and what they are not and how and how not to do it in a civilized, constructive manner.
A very worthy and much needed book as at this time in human existence we once again seem to be losing our skills in this vital part of cohabitation. It might be more fun but we have to move past just yelling at the other side and instead try to understand their position and then perhaps persuade or be persuaded.
Walter Sinnott-Armstrong is the Professor of Practical Ethics at Duke University in the USA. This of course makes him a perfect guide through this thorny topic and the book is based on his popular online course. My question as I started reading the book was is he as good a guide as the surreal comedy team Monty Python’s Flying Circus who for me nailed down the basics about argument in their famous Argument sketch from 1972 [if you don’t know what I am talking about the skit is readily available on YouTube and is a highlight of their truly groundbreaking, brilliant output.] The answer is both yes and no.
All the info is there but unlike the comedy sketch it is written in a dry, technical manner and some infographics and flow charts would have helped with making concepts like false equivalence and false dichotomy or fallacies like” begging the question” more understandable. I got the ideas but you do have to read sections carefully to gain full comprehension. A visual learner would have trouble.
At 289 pages including index etc. it is a pretty chunk read as well. So I would recommend going slow or dipping into different sections here and there as the mood or need strikes. I just wish someone like Bill Byson would tackle this important subject. His mixture of lightness and humour mixed with the facts would be the perfect mix between Professor Sinnott- Armstrong and Monty Python’s Mr. Vibrating.
Think Again – How to Reason and Argue
Walter Sinnott-Armstrong
Penguin Books
2018
