In a polarized world, a good argument can help create understanding, respect, and compromise. The key is the word "good" : arguments should not resort to put-downs, abuse, accusations, or avoidance of issues. Sinnott-Armstrong shows readers what arguments are-- and what good they can do. When one understands and appreciates strong evidence, it is not necessary to "win" the argument merely to engage in constructive conversations. -- adapted from back...

"Expanding upon his viral TEDx Talk, psychology professor and social scientist John V. Petrocelli reveals the critical thinking habits you can develop to recognize and combat pervasive false information that harms society in The Life-Changing Science of Detecting Bullshit. Bullshit is the foundation of contaminated thinking and bad decisions leading to health consequences, financial losses, legal consequences, broken relationships, and wasted time...

A psychologist draws on years of research to introduce his "machinery of the mind" model on human decision making to reveal the faults and capabilities of intuitive versus logical thinking.

Discusses why people make bad judgments and how to make better ones by reducing the influence of "noise" -- variables that can cause bias in decision making -- and draws on examples in many fields, including medicine, law, economic forecasting, forensic science, strategy, and personnel selection.

"MSNBC's Mehdi Hasan isn't one to avoid arguments. He relishes them, as the lifeblood of democracy and the only surefire way to establish the truth. Arguments help us solve problems, uncover new ideas we might not have considered, and nudge our disagreements toward mutual understanding. A good argument, made in good faith, has intrinsic value-and can also simply be fun. Arguments are everywhere-and especially given the fierce debates we're all embroiled...

Looks at human psychology and reasoning, identifying the most common errors of judgment and how to avoid them.

"In How to Talk to a Science Denier, Lee McIntyre tells the story of his own adventures in talking face to face with science deniers and their victims-including a Flat Earth convention in Denver, coal miners in rural Pennsylvania, and fishermen in the Maldives -- and what he learned from the experience"--