How to Think about Weird Things: Critical Thinking for a New Age - Softcover

Schick Jr, Theodore; Vaughn, Lewis

3.95

589 ratings by Goodreads

9781559342544: How to Think about Weird Things: Critical Thinking for a New Age

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1559342544 ISBN 13: 9781559342544

Publisher: Mayfield Publishing Co ,U.S., 1995

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Designed to help readers sharpen their reasoning skills, this book takes a critical look at over 50 paranormal or mysterious claims.

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From the Publisher:

A section on logic in Chapter 6 explains the nature and function of both deductive and inductive reasoning, and is followed by a case study and exercises for analysis.
A new section focuses on communicating with the dead and cold reading.
Treatment of evolution and creationism has been updated (see Chapter 4), and coverage of intelligent design theory has been expanded.
Many additional exercises, discussion questions, and 'field problems' have been added.
A revised chapter on cognitive relativism covers subjectivism, social constructivism, and conceptual relativism.
The text utilizes a detailed, step-by-step procedure-the SEARCH formula-for evaluating extraordinary claims.
Explanations of vital principles of knowledge, reasoning, and evidence help students sharpen their judgment and problem-solving skills.
Numerous boxes are integrated throughout the text, offering details on various beliefs, assessments by believers and skeptics, and reports of relevant scientific research.
Study questions appear at the end of each chapter.
An appendix contains additional information on informal fallacies.

Synopsis:

This supplement helps students think critically about the many "New Age" claims and beliefs that abound currently, including astrology, ghosts, UFO abductions, near-death experiences, demon possesion, time travel and parapsychology.

"About this title" may belong to another edition of this title.