The Art of the Argument

Point perfect in The Argument

This is a fabulous read/listen for anyone who sees irrationality all around them, though when they point it out, is hounded by the utterly irrational sophist that hangs like a dark cloud over ever rational debate.

This book helps us to understand The Argument, to understand the rain of sophistry that eventually comes down on a reasonable debate when an opponant can't refute an uncomfortable truth. It helps us understand their vicious irrational, incapable acceptence of truth, and it teaches us how to deal with these lost souls.

Not only are we taught to understand The argument, but dotted throughout is a plethora of social issues that cause debate and the eventual encounter of sophistry, but I found it helped me understand these social issues further myself.

If you want to fight for truth, to rid the world of the continued brainwashing and purposeful dumbing down of future generations, the driving out of their ability to think for themselves, read this book, then pass it on. Not just physically, but pass on Molyeux's exceptional wisdom in ever day life by telling others, by not being afraid to fight for truth.

I'd recommend this to anyone who's not only into philosophy, but anyone who believes the lies are getting to much, lies that are lately beginning to overshadow the truth. We need brave people to spread this wisdom, regardless how much resistance you encounter.

The Art of the Argument could be one of the most important books of our time. Five stars from me.

3 of 3 people found this review helpful

Very shallow with few wise points to say only

The author has some intellectual investment and he has a few good arguments which I cannot deny their common sense value. However, overall this book is full of shallow information and it seriously lacks an academic depth. It rhetorically appeals to feelings of layman. This is not necessarily a bad thing but the book markets itself with higher expectations. Besides, its title is misleading and extremely overrates the value of the book.The author starts with demeaning all academic knowledge on argumentation but then engage himself with them in a very primitive way to support his cases. I do not claim that the book is devoid of any meaningful points. However, the book's points can easily be captured in half an hour. It does not say much about argumentation per se. Rather, the book emphasises the value of argumentation as a means of proper political discussions, which are then used to promote liberalism as if all against liberalism were sophists. I am open to all political ideas and I wish to hear their merits and weaknesses. I had known beforehand that the author has political biases but the lack of depth of his arguments frustrated and bored me. I definitely do not recommend this book to anyone who wants to read intellectually engaging material. I was misled by many high ratings given to this book.

7 of 10 people found this review helpful

Not what I was expecting.

Not what was sold in the description. One of my least favourite books. For a philosopher it almost felt like his views were being forced on me, with opinions being quickly and almost unnoticeably passed off as facts. I almost feel that the author was looking down on me and a lot of other people. Too politically linked for me, and although I didn't disagree with everything I feel the writing drifted from the title of the book.

4 of 7 people found this review helpful

Not a serious work

Disappointing. This turned out to be one very long whining rant. I was hoping to learn something about the art of argument but instead my ears were lambasted by the author’s unearned sense of superiority and his populist idealism - and although he dresses his world view in admirable terms of living and acting with reason - he also advocates the exclusion of any dissenting voices.

Lacking substance and disturbingly arrogant

Although I disagree with the author's politics, I knew that when I bought the book. That isn't the problem. I think everybody should read material written by those whose opinions differ from their own - if they don't, there's no opportunity to exchange and debate ideas, or to persuade people to change their views. You can't have confidence in your own views if you haven't tested them or allowed others to challenge them. I'm willing to give a high rating to a book by an author I disagree with if it's well written.

The problem with this book is that it claims to be a manual setting out techniques of debate and rhetoric, when in fact there's really not much to it. What it really consists of is an opinionated rant, written in a weirdly unpleasant and arrogant tone. The author uses examples of supposed sophistry (many of which are flawed) purely to express his political opinions and to make quite childish and often ad hominem digs at those with differing opinions. If he were really interested in analysing debating techniques, he would include (better) examples of effective arguments contrary, or unrelated, to his own political views.

There's something else about his style which grates. At times, he sounds like he's giving a speech at a political rally, knowingly and cynically pushing certain buttons to whip up popular support. It's fundamentally condescending. I suspect this book, along with his podcasts, is largely aimed at a young and impressionable audience looking for guidance and direction, and he knows what he needs to do to appeal to them. In that sense, it isn't really an "argument" at all, but rather a piece of propaganda. He is, in fact, the sophist all along.

Outstanding arguments!

A seriously powerful book with depth, clarity and vigor right throughout.
This is a great advance for reason and overall mind blowing work.
To me, this is Stefan's greatest work to date along side Universally Preferable Behaviour.
It strikes at the heart of the problems we're facing like a knife.
Even if you've never read his other works or are new to philosophy, I would recommend it as he breaks down and builds up his arguments from the ground up, in detail with great imaginative examples that I really enjoyed.
I was put off at first by how short the book is, but having finished it was surprised how much is packed into this bomb of a book.
I would recommend this to anyone who wants to understand logic, reason, science, philosophy politics and psychology. He has most of it covered here and it's very important information that we all can benefit from. "Philosophy is dangerous" speech is in here, and it really moved me.
This book is dangerous because it will upset many sophists around you. That's what makes it so important. I am really impressed and I think it will impress any rational mind.

beware

Disappointingly partisan, falling foul to many logical errors it warns against. Still some good points if you can stomach the relentless inconsistencies.

4 of 8 people found this review helpful

If you have a brain, you need this

Fantastic and well explained. Stefan is one of the greatest thinkers of our time. Excellent

3 of 7 people found this review helpful

Specious rubbish.

Advertises itself as an objective lesson in the subtle art of argumentation. Sadly the author defrauds the earnest pursuer of unslanted learning by delivering a series of lectures on the merits of anarcho-capitalism. If you hate single mothers, immigrants, alcoholics, the disabled and the progressive achievements of non Judeo-Christian peoples - well, then this is a book for you.

3 of 8 people found this review helpful

A wonderful insomnia cure

I admit that I only lasted three chapters but this wins the most boring book of the year award. it is probably a very good book to read but as an audible book it is dull.

3 of 8 people found this review helpful