Logic and Its Limits

Patrick Shaw is lecturer in Logic at the University of Glasgow

• Preface ; 1. Arguments ; 2. Proofs ; 3. Validity: 'if ... then' ; 4. Validity: disjunctions and dilemmas ; 5. Getting the premises right ; 6. Sticking to the point ; 7. Meaning and definition ; 8. Divisions and distinctions ; 9. Analogies ; 10. 'All' and 'some' ; 11. Arguments with 'all' and 'some ; 12. Groups and individuals ; 13. Probability, evidence and causes ; 14. Probability: statistics ; 15. Indirect proofs ; 16. Authority and repute ; 17. Practical reasoning ; 18. Being rational: final remarks ; Answers to exercises ; Further reading ; Bibliography ; Index

Within its set limits, the book is both accessible and entertaining. ...I was particularly pleased by the discussion on statistical inference. ...Logic and its Limits contains many pleasures. ...Moreover, in an appendix, Shaw present as clear an exposition of the shortcomings of syllogistic logic as I have yet seen. ...a simple, easily-digested introductory text on logic, one that will help you analyse both your arguments and those of others, and one that will at least tell you something of what logic is about, you can do a lot worse than buy this book. I have no hesitation in recommending ogic and its Limits to my students.