This is a solid logic textbook. It starts with a short introduction, including a brief two-page overview, before going through the basics. The text is just under 400 pages but don’t let that bother you. It is a lot of pages but the book is structured nicely, each chapter and sub-section broken up into manageable lengths. More importantly, Kreeft’s explanations are easily accessible even for a beginner. For those interested, there are exercises, and answers to even-numbered questions at the back.
The layout is clear with the appropriate use of headings, sub-headings and emphasis, so quick re-reads can actually be quick as opposed to taking half an hour trying to find something.
There is only an index of principal names (of philosophers and like historical figures). There is no index of relevant keywords and terms, and it arguably doesn’t need one given the progressive structure of the text and the clearly laid out table of contents that includes the sub-headings. It does, however, lack a glossary. Whilst that is not essential, it would be a helpful feature for beginners.
On balance, this a useful and practical textbook.
Below are the chapter titles (without the sub-headings which are, as mentioned above, listed in the table of contents).
Introduction
I. The First Act of the Mind: Understanding
II. Terms
III. Material Fallacies
IV. Definition
V. Second Act of the Mind: Judgment
VI. Changing Propositions
VII. Contradiction
VIII. The Third Act of the Mind: Reasoning
IX. Different Kinds of Arguments
X. Syllogisms
XI. Checking Syllogisms for Validity
XII. More Difficult Syllogisms
XIII. Compound Syllogisms
XIV. Induction
XV. Some Practical Applications of Logic
XVI. Some Philosophical Applications of Logic
Appendix: Problems with Mathematical Logic
Answers to Even-numbered Exercises
Index of Principal Names
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