What do you think?
Rate this book
Tu Arohae : Interdisciplinary Critical Thinking
From which detergent to buy to who we should vote for, we are constantly bombarded by reasons to believe or do something. Should we be persuaded? Should we find the reasons others give compelling?
Everyone can benefit from a set of precision tools to use for evaluating reasoning.
This book offers a handy critical-thinking toolbox for all areas of academic study, the workplace and daily life.
Everyone can benefit from a set of precision tools to use for evaluating reasoning.
This book offers a handy critical-thinking toolbox for all areas of academic study, the workplace and daily life.
- GenresPhilosophy
221 pages, Paperback
Published November 13, 2017
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
May 29, 2023
I didn't read this because I wanted to, I had to. so meh
April 2, 2019
BOOK REVIEW
Book Title: Tu Arohae : Interdisciplinary Critical Thinking
Author: William Fish and Stephen Duffin
Release Year: 2017
Introduction
William Fish is a philosophy professor at Massey University, teaching courses at undergraduate and postgraduate levels. Stephen Duffin also lectures at Massey University, and has been teaching Critical Thinking for the last 20 years. The book was written as a collaborative result of further developing the paper ‘Critical Thinking’ into a book format. This course is still a part of Massey University’s Philosophy programme, and has since become a core paper in the Bachelor of Arts programme, because it holds valuable, transferable skills that are applicable in many fields outside of philosophy.
Description
The authors outline a unique approach to evaluating arguments. It serves as a methodical approach to working with reasoning, in speaking or writing. This helps in understanding and evaluating reasoning, by learning how to identify it, marking it up and mapping out the flow of argumentation. The matter is exemplified with the help of real-life examples that show how this approach can be used effectively.
The authors claim that reasoning is present in almost everything, but that we need to learn to identify the key parts of it to fully be able to evaluate it. Much like being able to identify taste notes of wine in order to appreciate it fully.
The book is organised in a successive way, where later ideas build on earlier parts. It first looks at the elements of reasoning, like statements and inferences, then shows how they combine to form arguments. It proceeds with deepening the understanding about analysis and evaluation, and gradually pivots towards showing complex examples of different ways of inferring and reasoning. It concludes with describing the shortcomings and limits of reasoning.
In one sentence, this book highlights the key components of reasoning and thinking about it in a structured way, in order to make informed judgements on the strengths and weaknesses of arguments presented.
Evaluation
The author’s writing style is mainly descriptive, and the ideas outlined are put forward in a logical way. There is an occasional implicit sense of humor. The ideas are clearly communicated, making sure that all aspects are fully explained, and nothing is left unexplained.
The author’s writing is very persuasive, precisely because it is reasoned thoroughly. In addition to showing that the method works with the real-life examples, his claims are well-formed, and his arguments for the effectiveness of this method are strong and convincing. It is not hard to follow the author’s train of thought, since it flows steadily throughout the book in a very linear, logical fashion.
Tu Arohae : Interdisciplinary Critical Thinking is a concise and useful tool in the field of academics, but also useful for professional and everyday life. This book takes a practical approach to understanding the abstract philosophical ideas of creating and evaluating arguments, without being overly complex.
The author’s recommendations are easily applicable in real-life situations, and should help anyone be more critical, meaning evaluative, in the face of complexity or uncertainty. For the intended audience, which should be primarily academic, this book serves as an introduction to the art of reasoning, without overwhelming the student by diving to deep into the abstract realm of philosophy.
I think you will like this book if you…
-Want to be able to evaluate better what others say
-Want to develop better arguments
-Want to be more effective in discussions
-Want to understand complex texts better
Rating: 7/10 (for being a good introduction to the matter, without exhausting the reader’s mental capacities)
Book Title: Tu Arohae : Interdisciplinary Critical Thinking
Author: William Fish and Stephen Duffin
Release Year: 2017
Introduction
William Fish is a philosophy professor at Massey University, teaching courses at undergraduate and postgraduate levels. Stephen Duffin also lectures at Massey University, and has been teaching Critical Thinking for the last 20 years. The book was written as a collaborative result of further developing the paper ‘Critical Thinking’ into a book format. This course is still a part of Massey University’s Philosophy programme, and has since become a core paper in the Bachelor of Arts programme, because it holds valuable, transferable skills that are applicable in many fields outside of philosophy.
Description
The authors outline a unique approach to evaluating arguments. It serves as a methodical approach to working with reasoning, in speaking or writing. This helps in understanding and evaluating reasoning, by learning how to identify it, marking it up and mapping out the flow of argumentation. The matter is exemplified with the help of real-life examples that show how this approach can be used effectively.
The authors claim that reasoning is present in almost everything, but that we need to learn to identify the key parts of it to fully be able to evaluate it. Much like being able to identify taste notes of wine in order to appreciate it fully.
The book is organised in a successive way, where later ideas build on earlier parts. It first looks at the elements of reasoning, like statements and inferences, then shows how they combine to form arguments. It proceeds with deepening the understanding about analysis and evaluation, and gradually pivots towards showing complex examples of different ways of inferring and reasoning. It concludes with describing the shortcomings and limits of reasoning.
In one sentence, this book highlights the key components of reasoning and thinking about it in a structured way, in order to make informed judgements on the strengths and weaknesses of arguments presented.
Evaluation
The author’s writing style is mainly descriptive, and the ideas outlined are put forward in a logical way. There is an occasional implicit sense of humor. The ideas are clearly communicated, making sure that all aspects are fully explained, and nothing is left unexplained.
The author’s writing is very persuasive, precisely because it is reasoned thoroughly. In addition to showing that the method works with the real-life examples, his claims are well-formed, and his arguments for the effectiveness of this method are strong and convincing. It is not hard to follow the author’s train of thought, since it flows steadily throughout the book in a very linear, logical fashion.
Tu Arohae : Interdisciplinary Critical Thinking is a concise and useful tool in the field of academics, but also useful for professional and everyday life. This book takes a practical approach to understanding the abstract philosophical ideas of creating and evaluating arguments, without being overly complex.
The author’s recommendations are easily applicable in real-life situations, and should help anyone be more critical, meaning evaluative, in the face of complexity or uncertainty. For the intended audience, which should be primarily academic, this book serves as an introduction to the art of reasoning, without overwhelming the student by diving to deep into the abstract realm of philosophy.
I think you will like this book if you…
-Want to be able to evaluate better what others say
-Want to develop better arguments
-Want to be more effective in discussions
-Want to understand complex texts better
Rating: 7/10 (for being a good introduction to the matter, without exhausting the reader’s mental capacities)
October 27, 2019
I really enjoyed this course and this book! Easy to understand and well-explained, I'm sure Tu Arohae will help with reasoning, debating, researching, and all my future 'argument' based assignments.
However, I do really wish this book had an index: it was difficult to use when looking for specific ideas.
However, I do really wish this book had an index: it was difficult to use when looking for specific ideas.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews