Guide to Critical Thinking

Logic Is Too Hard
The final misconception is that logic is too hard or difficult to learn. If you have survived all 
these years without studying logic, you might wonder why you should learn it now. It is true 
that learning logic can be challenging and that it takes time and effort before it feels like 
second nature. But consider that we face the same challenge whenever we learn anything 
new, whether it is baking, automotive repair, or astrophysics. These are all areas of human 
knowledge that have a specific terminology and methodology, and you cannot expect to know 
how to bake a soufflé, fix a valve cap leak, or explain black holes without any investment in 
learning the subject matter.
Let us return to our running analogy. Just as we must intend to run in order to do it, we must 
intend to think methodically in order to do it. When we become adept at running, we do not 
have to put in as much effort or thought. A fit body can perform physical tasks more easily 
than an unfit one. The mind is no different. A mind accustomed to logical reasoning will find 
activities of the intellect easier than an unfit one. The best part is that if you wish to achieve 
logical fitness, all you need to do is learn and practice the necessary tools for it. The purpose 
of this book is to guide you toward this goal.
Without a doubt, learning logic will be challenging. But keep in mind that starting a logical 
fitness program is very much like starting a physical fitness program: There will be a little 
pain in the beginning. When out-of-shape muscles are exercised, they hurt. You might find 
that some lessons or concepts might give you a bit of trouble. When this happens, don’t give 
up! In a physical fitness program, we know that if we keep going, over time the pain goes 
Moral of the Story: Logic as a Skill
Having a natural capacity for something does not amount to being good at it. Even as emotions 
seem to come so naturally, some people have to work at being less sensitive or more empa-
thetic. The same is true for logical reasoning.
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Section 1.3 
What Is Logic?
away, the muscles get in shape, and movement becomes joyful. Likewise, as you keep working 
diligently on learning and developing your natural logical abilities, you will discover that you 
understand new things more easily, reading is less of a struggle for you, and logical reasoning 
is actually fun and rewarding. Eventually, you will begin to recognize logical connections (or 
the lack thereof) that you did not previously notice, make decisions that you are less likely 
to regret, and develop the confidence to defend the positions you hold in a way that is less 
emotionally taxing.