The Thinking Toolbox

This book is like a toolbox, full of different kinds of tools you can use for different thinking tasks. Just as you use the wrench to fix the sink, so you can use the tools we give you in this book to solve thinking problems. We wrote this book for children and adults who want to learn logic and critical thinking skills. The Thinking Toolbox follows the same style as The Fallacy Detective with lessons and exercises and an answer key in the back. Parents and teachers, as well as anybody who wants to learn logic, will find The Thinking Toolbox easy to use and practical. Features Fun to use not dry like a math textbook Can be used after or before The Fallacy Detective Introductory teaches skills you can use right away Self-teaching format For ages twelve and older Over 60 cartoon illustrations by Richard LaPierre Table of Contents Introduction How to Use This Book Tools for Thinking A Thinking Tool A Discussion, a Disagreement, an Argument, and a Fight When It Is Dumb to Argue Fact, Inference, or Opinion Finding the Premises and Conclusion How to List Reasons Why You Believe Something How to Defeat Your Own Argument When Not to Use Logic Tools for Opposing Viewpoints Using the Opposing Viewpoints Chart Opposing Viewpoints Are Everywhere The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly Evidence You Can t Believe Everything You Hear Are You Primary or Secondary? Who Has a Reason to Lie? Corroborating Evidence Mystery of the Stolen Manoot Stir Plot until Thickened Gunfight at the O.K. Corral Does a Possibly Make a Probably? Circumstantial Evidence Puzzling Developments Tools for Science Mole the Scientist Tools that Help Scientists Do Their Job How to Be a Keen Observer Brainstorming Hypothesis Is a Huge Word How to Prove You Are Wrong A Good Experiment How to Analyze Data Listen and Learn Pseudoscience A Little Project Projects Herbal the Verbal Gerbil Game The Mystery of the Large Letter Library Answer Key”