Recommend a book to teach my teenager logic and clear thinking

[Inkachu]

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?

I just bought this for my teenage son, as he has a real struggle with accountability and self control right now.

 

[Tinker Grey]

I just bought this for my teenage son, as he has a real struggle with accountability and self control right now.

Thank you. I'll look into it. I went ahead and ordered the book by Kida (above). But there is no reason why we can't have more than one.

 

[Archaeopteryx]

I just started reading Intuition Pumps and Other Tools for Thinking. Good so far.

 

[Tinker Grey]

I just started reading Intuition Pumps and Other Tools for Thinking. Good so far.

What about for a teen?

 

[JacksBratt]

A book that I found very calming and answered a lot of questions about life. It gave me the ability to understand the way I looked at issues in all aspects of my life.

The book is called "Telling Yourself the Truth" by William Backus and Marie Chapman.

I believe it is a great book for young people, and us old geezers, who may be dealing with depression, guilt, self esteem and just generally who we are, what drives us to do what we do and the way we look at ourselves...

 

[CaDan]

Are you looking for something on formal logic or on argumentation?

 

[Received]

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?

"Don't Worry, You Won't Be a Teenager In a Few Years" is a good one. Actually the only one that works, I think.

 

[Tinker Grey]

A book that I found very calming and answered a lot of questions about life. It gave me the ability to understand the way I looked at issues in all aspects of my life.

The book is called "Telling Yourself the Truth" by William Backus and Marie Chapman.

I believe it is a great book for young people, and us old geezers, who may be dealing with depression, guilt, self esteem and just generally who we are, what drives us to do what we do and the way we look at ourselves...

Thank you.

Are you looking for something on formal logic or on argumentation?

To be honest, I'm not sure. Ideally, I suppose, one that talks about clear thinking, understanding reality, with a basic intro to formal logic: Modus Ponens, Tollens, and the construction of syllogisms. The book by Kida (posted above) might be this. It hasn't arrived yet. (Amazon's excuse: weather.) Kida's book apparently goes into argumentation a bit, too.

The book, "Logic Made Easy", looks like it might be a good intro for basic logic and accessible to teens. I started re-reading the intro. I think it could work if we choose to into more depth. I might read the intros of each book to her and see which appeals the most.

"Don't Worry, You Won't Be a Teenager In a Few Years" is a good one. Actually the only one that works, I think.

Thanks, I'll look into it. I'm not really looking for self-help-y type books or books that focus on being a teenager. It may appeal to her, but as a father-daughter project it wouldn't appeal to me.

 

[Received]

Sorry Tinker, I meant that as a joke. Sorry if it came across serious.

 

[Received]

Are you looking for something on formal logic or on argumentation?

The HELL 'r you?

 

[Tinker Grey]

Sorry Tinker, I meant that as a joke. Sorry if it came across serious.

Ah. I must be humor impaired. Thanks for the clarification -- it saves me a search.

 

[agua]

Ah. I must be humor impaired. Thanks for the clarification -- it saves me a search.

Whatever book you use as a study guide it should readily be able to be practiced irl situations imo. Teens learn more from walk than talk I think.

I'm impressed you have such a relationship where your daughter is willing to undertake the exercise. Good work there.

 

[Tinker Grey]

Whatever book you use as a study guide it should readily be able to be practiced irl situations imo. Teens learn more from walk than talk I think.

I'm impressed you have such a relationship where your daughter is willing to undertake the exercise. Good work there.

Thank you, though I do worry that she's doing it just to please daddy. Either way, we'll see how it goes.

 

[Tinker Grey]

A book that I found very calming and answered a lot of questions about life. It gave me the ability to understand the way I looked at issues in all aspects of my life.

The book is called "Telling Yourself the Truth" by William Backus and Marie Chapman.

I believe it is a great book for young people, and us old geezers, who may be dealing with depression, guilt, self esteem and just generally who we are, what drives us to do what we do and the way we look at ourselves...

Again, thanks. I won't be using this book. As I am not a Christian, I don't want to spend my quality time with my daughter being agitated with the book. Also, several negative reviews said it was bad for those with diagnosed mental disorders, from which, in fact, my daughter suffers. They weren't clear as to why, however, that's a red flag. I'm not risking it.

 

[dms1972]

Recommend a book to teach my teenager logic and clear thinking

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?

I could do with a good guide to sound thinking also.

To get your question clear you are looking for a book that teaches how to think, but not what to think?

The one I was going to mention has already been mentioned: Logic by Issac Watts: the third part is four chapters on syllogisms.

The language is quite old fashioned: for instance 'wont', meaning inclined or apt.


I glanced at the contents of the one you mentioned and it looked quite good in terms of what it covers. Funnily I checked the same review, and was reading his example of a false premise leading to a true conclusion.

"All fish live in the sea: dolphins are fish: dolphins live in the sea."

All fish live in the sea is a false premise I presume because some fish live in rivers, or aquariums? (like i said i could do with a good book on how to think)

But I see on the second page of comments that this reviewer comes in for some criticism also.


Alternatives that I haven't read and only know of the author through quotations would be:

Mortimer J. Adler:

http://www.informationphilosopher.com/solutions/philosophers/adler/

Some titles

• The Four Dimensions of Philosophy: Metaphysical-Moral-Objective-Categorical (1993)
• Art, the Arts, and the Great Ideas (1994)
• How to Think About The Great Ideas (2000)

 

[Tinker Grey]

I could do with a good guide to sound thinking also.

To get your question clear you are looking for a book that teaches how to think, but not what to think?

The one I was going to mention has already been mentioned: Logic by Issac Watts: the third part is four chapters on syllogisms.

The language is quite old fashioned: for instance 'wont', meaning inclined or apt.


I glanced at the contents of the one you mentioned and it looked quite good in terms of what it covers. Funnily I checked the same review, and was reading his example of a false premise leading to a true conclusion.

"All fish live in the sea: dolphins are fish: dolphins live in the sea."

All fish live in the sea is a false premise I presume because some fish live in rivers, or aquariums? (like i said i could do with a good book on how to think)

I hadn't thought about aquariums, but the false premise is that dolphins are fish. Dolphins are mammals.

But I see on the second page of comments that this reviewer comes in for some criticism also.


Alternatives that I haven't read and only know of the author through quotations would be:

Mortimer J. Adler:

Mortimer Adler

Some titles

• The Four Dimensions of Philosophy: Metaphysical-Moral-Objective-Categorical (1993)
• Art, the Arts, and the Great Ideas (1994)
• How to Think About The Great Ideas (2000)

Thank you for your suggestions.

 

[JacksBratt]

Again, thanks. I won't be using this book. As I am not a Christian, I don't want to spend my quality time with my daughter being agitated with the book. Also, several negative reviews said it was bad for those with diagnosed mental disorders, from which, in fact, my daughter suffers. They weren't clear as to why, however, that's a red flag. I'm not risking it.

That's too bad. I didn't find the religious aspect that strong, however it is there.

I would have thought that it would have been a great book for those with disorders. Maybe the Dr.'s don't want us solving our own problems with a $12.00 book when we can go to them for $150.00 per hour.

Not that this book would end all problems but it sure set me on a firm foundation as to what I think of myself, how I take what others say about me and how to handle life in general with confidence in who I am.


Oh Well.

 

[Tinker Grey]

That's too bad. I didn't find the religious aspect that strong, however it is there.

I would have thought that it would have been a great book for those with disorders. Maybe the Dr.'s don't want us solving our own problems with a $12.00 book when we can go to them for $150.00 per hour.

Not that this book would end all problems but it sure set me on a firm foundation as to what I think of myself, how I take what others say about me and how to handle life in general with confidence in who I am.


Oh Well.

Some mental disorders are chemical. A book might help with coping mechanisms, but it won't be a cure. If a book were to suggest that "it's all just in your head", that would be damaging.

 

[JacksBratt]

Some mental disorders are chemical. A book might help with coping mechanisms, but it won't be a cure. If a book were to suggest that "it's all just in your head", that would be damaging.

Actually, I too deal with somebody who is suffering from a mental disorder. I have read a little about their problem and maybe you can give me some insight.

As far as I know, no professional can or will say that the disorder is caused by the chemical imbalance OR if the chemical imbalance is caused the disorder.

Last I read and heard is that nobody knows for sure or is willing to put solid opinion out to it.


This book doesn't point a finger to it being anyones fault but the way you look at things and what you tell yourself. I found it powerful.

All I know is that it is a rough road for those who live with them and love them.

 

[hedrick]

I doubt a book alone will be enough. I think you'll want to take some case studies and talk about them together. It's hard to learn a skill without trying it out, unless your learning style is unusual.