How to Win Every Argument: The Use and Abuse of Logic by Madsen Pirie
Summary
It’s difficult to forgive a misleading title. This book is not about how to win every argument. It is an alphabetical list of logical fallacies, starting with “Abusive Analogy” and finishing with “Wishful Thinking.” Pirie attempts to explain the fallacies, with mixed success, and tries to entertain with his brand of wit.
The problem with this approach is that I didn’t buy the book to be entertained, and humour is always a matter of taste. His humour is not to my taste, and I found the jokes more of an annoyance than a help. Perhaps Pirie’s wishful thinking is that readers would overlook the mis-selling.
Key Insights
Logical fallacies come in many forms, including:
- Causal errors such as post hoc, affirming the consequent, and the gambler’s fallacy.
- Language traps like amphiboly, equivocation, and shifting definitions.
- Rhetorical tactics include poisoning the well, appeal to pity, and tu quoque.
The value of the book lies in giving a name to fallacies. Once named, they are easier to recognise and counter.
Not all fallacies are purely logical; many are rhetorical shortcuts that win compliance without establishing truth.
The famous “Exception that proves the rule” is explained properly: “prove” means “to test,” not “to confirm by exception.”
Some practical advice emerges, such as extending a bad analogy until it collapses or refusing to accept a shifted burden of proof.
Strengths
Compact reference: Having an alphabetical list makes it easy to dip in and check a definition.
Broad coverage: Includes familiar fallacies (straw man, slippery slope) and obscure ones (lapidem, lazarum).
Occasional clarity: Some entries are genuinely lucid, such as the explanation of hidden quantifiers (“Garage mechanics are crooks—how many?”).
Weaknesses
Misleading title: This is a catalogue of fallacies, not a guide to winning arguments.
Inconsistent explanations: Some entries are too brief to clarify the reasoning error.
Forced humour: Pirie’s jokes often feel like distractions rather than aids to memory.
Little practical guidance: Beyond recognising fallacies, the book offers few strategies for structuring persuasive arguments.
Reflections
Overall, this is not my cup of tea. I prefer books that teach skill first, wit second, and Pirie has reversed that priority. His humour never landed for me, and the tone made the book feel like a missed opportunity.
Conclusion
This book is not a practical guide to argumentation, and it is unlikely to add much to your reasoning skills or improve debate performance. Instead, it is a reference book that the author has attempted to spice up with a few “funny” asides. The book labels the fallacies and occasionally explains them well, but it is hot or miss, and the humour is a distraction.
Rating: ★★☆☆☆ (2/5)
Book Details
Title: How to Win Every Argument: The Use and Abuse of Logic
Author: Madsen Pirie
Publication Year: 2015
Genre: Philosophy, Logic
Amazon