INTRODUCTION

It matters how and when we argue. It matters because arguing is an indispensable way of getting to the truth and avoiding the false. If we do not use argument well and when we should, the likelihood is that we will acquire large numbers of false and quite probably dangerous beliefs on which we then base our actions. The calamitous consequences of the frequent death of reason in human history surely bears this out. Too many monolithic total-belief-systems have resulted in the closing down of rational thought for too many throughout history, engendering confusion and intolerance, for us to be complacent about this. This book aims to counter the seduction and weakness of abandoning, when we should not, rational argument. Sometimes we should not be reasoning; but even then there is usually a good rational argument why we should not be reasoning. More often we fail either to reason at all or to reason well when we should. To attain the habit of reasoning is one of the most important duties we have to ourselves. Go forth and argue.