Recommend a book to teach my teenager logic and clear thinking

[Tinker Grey]

I found Being Logical, a Guide to Good Thinking. It looks alright but it might be too terse to work through with my daughter. Also, this 1 star review by Ivan gives me pause. It appears to makes some mistakes that a book on logic ought not make. Nevertheless, it might be good place to start.

Thoughts? Other books?

 

[Chesterton]

Orthodoxy by G. K. Chesterton. While not directly a guide to good thinking, one can learn good thinking by seeing it practiced exceptionally well.

 

[Tinker Grey]

Thank you.

 

[juvenissun]

I found Being Logical, a Guide to Good Thinking. It looks alright but it might be too terse to work through with my daughter. Also, this 1 star review by Ivan gives me pause. It appears to makes some mistakes that a book on logic ought not make. Nevertheless, it might be good place to start.

Thoughts? Other books?

The Bible and your prayer.

 

[St_Worm2]

Recommend a book to teach my teenager logic and clear thinking

You mean you have a teenager who's capable of such things? Wow, I can only wonder what that must be like ..

I'm afraid I may never know ..

 

[Tinker Grey]

You mean you have a teenager who's capable of such things? Wow, I can only wonder what that must be like ..

I'm afraid I may never know ..

Well, we shall see. At least she agreed to let me look for a book we could do together.

 

[St_Worm2]

Well, we shall see. At least she agreed to let me look for a book we could do together.

Wow, that is totally cool. I admit to being quite envious and happy for you at the same time ..

Here is my recommendation. It is one of the great classics on the subject and may be a good choice in your case.

 

[Tinker Grey]

Wow, that is totally cool. I admit to being quite envious and happy for you at the same time ..

Here is my recommendation. It is one of the great classics on the subject and may be a good choice in your case.

*snip*

Thanks for a real suggestion. I suspect a book written in an early 18th century style is not particularly suitable for a teenager ... at least not on average and at least not mine. Some of the comments made it seem, though, that I might enjoy it.

The sentences of the first 5 star review says, "This is probably not the book to read if one is looking for an introduction to the elementary principles of logic. Not because it is lacking in substance, but rather, the 18th century syntax will probably be too difficult for the less serious reader."

 

[St_Worm2]

Thanks for a real suggestion. I suspect a book written in an early 18th century style is not particularly suitable for a teenager ... at least not on average and at least not mine. Some of the comments made it seem, though, that I might enjoy it.

The sentences of the first 5 star review says, "This is probably not the book to read if one is looking for an introduction to the elementary principles of logic. Not because it is lacking in substance, but rather, the 18th century syntax will probably be too difficult for the less serious reader."

Yes, there is no question that you would have to be "creative" in helping your daughter with all that Watts wrote, but if nothing more suitable can be found, this may still be a resource worth considering.

Please let me know what book you end up using as I would like to see it for myself (just in case I'm ever able to do what you are doing).

If I come up with any other brilliant ideas I will, of course, pass them along.

Thanks and I wish you the best in finding just the right book(s) and/or guide!

--David

 

[St_Worm2]

You might, in fact, find something here that will be more approachable and appropriate. At least the author is living (and he is the best teacher I have ever had for any subject).

Be aware that much of his material comes in multiple formats, IOW, not in book form only.

Yours and His,
David

 

[jacks]

Perhaps Math? Pi Day is coming up 31415. Follow a recipe for a great pie and then introduce the logic of geometry. Both are great ways to develop logical thinking.

 

[Tinker Grey]

If I don't get a better suggestion, this one looks pretty good.

 

[Chesterton]

If I don't get a better suggestion, this one looks pretty good.

Preferring stories to statistics is a mistake?! Wow, that's a big red flag right there. Stories are much more important.

 

[Tinker Grey]

I think it depends on what you mean by important. Stories, I think, give us a rubric for processing reality. But those stories must be subject to revision by what reality actually is. I think clear thinking allows us to build an appropriate story. While the story allows us to deal with or process reality, it can't tell us what reality is.

It is important to note that the book cover doesn't actually say that statistics is more important. The statement on the cover, as I understand it, is a comment on the fact that we prefer to believe the legend in our minds rather than deal with reality as it is. We need to know when to restructure the story. Statistics is a tool to that end.

 

[Tree of Life]

"Logic Made Easy" by Bennett

 

[Tinker Grey]

"Logic Made Easy" by Bennett

Thanks. I'll look into it.

 

[OldWiseGuy]

The bible will reveal why she should develop proper thinking.

 

[Tinker Grey]

The bible will reveal why she should develop proper thinking.

My wife and daughters are Christians. The daughter in question is the last at home. She gets lots of Bible reading.

N.B., my goal here is not to challenge her faith. I don't plan to bring religion into it unless she does.

 

[Tinker Grey]

"Logic Made Easy" by Bennett

Turns out, I have this book!

I think its a bit heavy for my daughter, but I'll re-read it.

 

[OldWiseGuy]

My wife and daughters are Christians. The daughter in question is the last at home. She gets lots of Bible reading.

N.B., my goal here is not to challenge her faith. I don't plan to bring religion into it unless she does.