Logic Made Easy: How to Know When Language Deceives You.

LOGIC MADE EASY: How to Know When Language Deceives You DEBORAH J. BENNETT

Even the smartest people get tripped up by illogical street signs, poorly worded forms, and misleading advertisements. These problems often stem from a disconnect between language and logical-thinking processes, asserts Bennett, a professor of mathematics. She considers the history of logic from Aristotle's time through the modern era, in order to define the rules of logic. It seems that logic isn't easy. There are good reasons for being misled into thinking in an illogical way. Many anecdotes illustrate how language and semantics often stand in the way of clear thinking. Logic puzzles challenge readers and illustrate how complex logic can be. Bennett offers readers an opportunity to learn how to present ideas more clearly and better evaluate other people's reasoning. Norton, 2004, 256 p., b&w illus., hardcover, $24.95.