Grammar, Philosophy, and Logic

Description

This book argues that a basic grasp of philosophy and logic can produce written and spoken material that is both grammatically correct and powerful. The author analyses errors in grammar, word choice, phrasing and sentences that even the finest writers can fail to notice; concentrating on subtle missteps and errors that can make the difference between good and excellent prose. Each chapter addresses how common words and long-established grammatical rules are often misused or ignored altogether – including such common words as ‘interesting’, ‘possible’, and ‘apparent’. By tackling language in this way, the author provides an illuminating and practical stylistic guide that will interest students and scholars of grammar and philosophy, as well as readers looking to improve their technical writing skills. Front Matter ....Pages i-xxxviii Is “Interesting” Interesting? (Bruce Silver)....Pages 1-41 Possible Worlds, Possible Showers, and Apparent Suicides (Bruce Silver)....Pages 43-63 Comparisons That Go Wrong (Bruce Silver)....Pages 65-92 We All Die, but None of Us is Dead (Bruce Silver)....Pages 93-109 Tautologies and Illogical Questions (Bruce Silver)....Pages 111-135 The Impossible and the Implausible (Bruce Silver)....Pages 137-157 Simplicity, Economy, and Intensity (Bruce Silver)....Pages 159-177 Back Matter ....Pages 179-208