Current Issues and Enduring Questions
A Guide to Critical Thinking and Argument, with Readings
By: Sylvan Barnet, Hugo Bedau, John O'Hara
The unique collaborative effort of a professor of English and a professor of philosophy, Current Issues and Enduring Questions is an extensive resource for teaching argument, persuasive writing, and rigorous critical thinking. This extraordinarily versatile text and reader continues to address current student interests and trends in argument, research, and writing.Its comprehensive coverage of classic and contemporary approaches to argument includes Aristotelian, Toulmin, and a range of alternative views, including a new chapter on analyzing and writing about arguments in popular culture. Readings on contemporary controversies (including student loan debt, locavorism, and the boundaries of online privacy) and classical philosophical questions (such as How free is the will of the individual?) are sure to spark student interest and lively discussion and writing, and new e-Pages take advantage of what the Web can do by including videos, speeches, film trailers, and other multimodal arguments.
AI Overview
Comprehensive Overview of "Current Issues and Enduring Questions" by Sylvan Barnet, Hugo Bedau, and John O'Hara
Key Themes
Critical Thinking and Argumentation: The book is designed to help students develop strategies for thinking critically about issues, evaluating multiple perspectives, and writing compelling arguments. It emphasizes the importance of critical thinking in understanding and addressing contemporary issues.
Persuasive Writing: The text provides guidance on writing persuasively, which is a crucial aspect of critical thinking and argumentation. It includes techniques for generating essay topics and writing critical summaries.
Contemporary and Classic Approaches: The book covers a wide range of classic and contemporary approaches to argument, including the works of Aristotle and Toulmin, as well as alternative views. This comprehensive coverage helps students understand the evolution of critical thinking and argumentation.
Social and Moral Issues: The book includes an excellent selection of readings that offer both pro and con views on various social and moral subjects. These readings are chosen to reflect contemporary issues that continue to be relevant today, such as race, police brutality, social media's impact on society, and the role of technology in education.
Interactive Learning Tools: The book is designed to be interactive, with features like "Thinking Critically" activities and reading strategies that prompt students to apply critical thinking concepts through interactive exercises.
Plot Summary
The book is structured into two main parts:
Part One: Elements of Critical Thinking and Argumentation: This section lays down the foundational elements of critical thinking and the art of dissecting an argument. It includes instruction on effective reading, analysis, and writing, as well as guidance on confronting unfamiliar issues and generating essay topics.
Part Two: Readings on Social and Moral Issues: This section features a selection of readings that cover a wide range of social and moral subjects. Each pair of readings is followed by a series of questions for further thought, which can be used for independent analysis or as part of a course in critical thinking. The readings include modern writers as well as the best writings of past authors who explore contemporary issues.
Critical Reception
Positive Reviews: Many reviewers have praised the book for its ability to stimulate critical thinking and discussion. One reviewer noted that the readings selected are compelling and well-written, making the book a valuable resource for understanding complex social issues.
Mixed Reviews: Some reviewers have mentioned that the book can be challenging, particularly for students in introductory classes. For example, one reviewer noted that English 101 made their brain hurt, suggesting that the material may be more suited for advanced students or those with a strong background in critical thinking.
Overall, "Current Issues and Enduring Questions" is a comprehensive guide to critical thinking and argumentation, designed to help students navigate complex social and moral issues. Its interactive learning tools and diverse range of readings make it a valuable resource for both students and instructors.