Jamie Whyte (1)
Author of Crimes Against Logic: Exposing the Bogus Arguments of Politicians, Priests, Journalists, and Other Serial Offenders
For other authors named Jamie Whyte, see the disambiguation page.
Works by Jamie Whyte
Crimes Against Logic: Exposing the Bogus Arguments of Politicians, Priests, Journalists, and Other Serial Offenders (2003) 924 copies, 13 reviews
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Reviews
Crimes Against Logic: Exposing the Bogus Arguments of Politicians, Priests, Journalists, and Other Serial Offenders by Jamie Whyte
All around us are statements, phrases, and bon mots which simply serve to obscure logic. Jamie Whyte’s Crimes Against Logic serves as a oasis of hope is a desert of slick dissimulation. Whyte’s main goal is to expose the devices that people use to turn a dubious argument or perspective into one that might be more believable. Many of these fall into categories of logical fallacy, such as the Authority Fallacy or False Equivalency or the Motive Fallacy (among many others). Along with these show more traps, there are also techniques, such as using jargon, weasel words, or hooray words that throw the listener or the reader off-kilter. This is not to say that everyone and everything is out to pull the wool over your eyes, but there are areas where language is deliberately couched. After reading this, it’s next to impossible to listen to a news broadcast or read an article without seeing all the hidden ways that facts are manipulated to fit the audience or the agenda. Pair this one with Farhad Manjoo’s True Enough and you’ll never trust anyone ever. Sometimes ignorance really is bliss. A quick, eye-opening read. show less
I enjoyed this attack on sloppy argumentation. Whyte mixes intellectual arrogance, (he never merely suggests), with funny illustrations from an unpretentious New Zealand upbringing, and he does it with style.
Crimes Against Logic: Exposing the Bogus Arguments of Politicians, Priests, Journalists, and Other Serial Offenders by Jamie Whyte
Like other reviewers, I found the tone of the book rather condescending. He reminds me of a group of armchair philosophers I knew who tried to use logic to convince me (and everyone they encountered) that there is no God. They're entitled to their opinion (or not unless it's right, Whyte would suggest), but I think it's missing the point to try to prove or disprove the existence of God.
This book introduced or better explained some concepts to me (I think I understand "begging the question" show more better than I did), but I'm turning to other sources for a more in-depth examination of logic, hopefully with a more friendly tone. show less
This book introduced or better explained some concepts to me (I think I understand "begging the question" show more better than I did), but I'm turning to other sources for a more in-depth examination of logic, hopefully with a more friendly tone. show less
Crimes Against Logic: Exposing the Bogus Arguments of Politicians, Priests, Journalists, and Other Serial Offenders by Jamie Whyte
This is another pretty good book on logical fallacies. The author does use a lot of dated, cultural, and geographical references to make his point, but the points are valid irrespective of the contexts and they are well presented.
Add in smidgeons of humor woven throughout...sarcasm as well as just plain fun...and this is an enjoyable and informative, but not preachy, work for someone unfamiliar with the mechanics of critical thinking, or who just wants yet another perspective.
Be serious. show less
Add in smidgeons of humor woven throughout...sarcasm as well as just plain fun...and this is an enjoyable and informative, but not preachy, work for someone unfamiliar with the mechanics of critical thinking, or who just wants yet another perspective.
The fallaciesshow more
discussed in this book have several reliable sources: Congress, talk radio, and newspaper editorials will give you all the material you need to hone your skill at spotting them.
[...]
People will hold an opinion because they want to keep the company of others who share the opinion, or because they think it is the respectable opinion, or because they have publicly expressed the opinion in the past and would be embarrassed by a “U-turn,” or because the world would suit them better if the opinion were true, or . . . Perhaps it is better to get on with your family and friends, to avoid embarrassment, or to comfort yourself with fantasies than to believe the truth. But those who approach matters in this way should give up any pretensions to intellectual seriousness. They are not genuinely interested in reality.
Be serious. show less
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- Works
- 6
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- #27,278
- Rating
- 3.7
- Reviews
- 13
- ISBNs
- 10
- Languages
- 1