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Fallacies and Pitfalls of Language: The Language Trap

Average customer rating:

Don't blame language
a great introduction to/review of informal logic
Entertaining and informative

Fallacies and Pitfalls of Language: The Language Trap
S. Morris Engel
Manufacturer: Dover Publications
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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Nonsense: A Handbook of Logical Fallacies
Crimes Against Logic
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ASIN: 0486282740

Book Description

Witty, thought-provoking exploration of government newspeak, exaggerated advertising claims, propaganda and other misuses of language — and how to combat them.

Customer Reviews:

Don't blame language.......2001-03-21

This book gives an interesting overview of logical fallacies common in today's political arena. Unfortunately, the author impunes language rather than logic in the erroneous title: "Fallacies and pitfalls of language: the language trap." There is little in the book to support a hypothesis that language is the culprit in the examples cited; in each case, it is a logical fallacy that causes problems.

As an introductory book in logic, this volume is similar to others. It focuses primarily of religious and political arguments, rather than interpersonal matters, as do most such books.

I would recommend this book to those already familiar with logic who want some additional examples.

a great introduction to/review of informal logic.......2000-02-07

this is a short, concise, well-written book; a very readable (and affordalbe) survey of informal logic/logical fallacies. it's length is nice, esp. if you need help with this topic but are pressed for time or swamped by other reading (i.e. are a law student). note: this might be useful in preparing for the LSAT, since half of the LSAT tests your skills in informal logic and analyzing arguments. i found this to be better than "the art of deception" in both style and content (and it's shorter and less expensive too).

Entertaining and informative.......1998-01-04

Mr. Engel's latest book is as entertaining as it is informative. Through a series of colorful examples, the author examines the most common fallacies in the use of words and language. Though at times the topics addressed are obvious and some chapters are redundant, overall his treatment of language and its pitfalls is generally compelling and well worth the time it takes to read this gem of a book.

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