Words, Concepts, Reality: Aristotelian Logic for Teenagers
By Thaddeus Kozinski, Ph.D.
When we hear the word logic, we tend to think of arguments, premises and conclusions, claims and evidence for claims. But this is only half of it. Arguments are made of words, and words are symbols or signs of concepts, the building blocks of human thought. The study of the concept, the most fundamental aspect of logic, was once an essential part of liberal education, and to aid in its recovery is the goal of this book. This is a must-have for any introductory logic course.
Paperback $14.95 | Kindle $9.99
TESTIMONIALS
“There are two kinds of logic: mathematical logic, for computers, to deal with abstractions, and ordinary language logic, for human beings, to deal with things in the real world. Neglect of the second kind of logic is one of the main reasons why students today can’t read or think as well as previous generations. This logic text is a fine beginning to reverse that decline. It’s also an excellent introduction to common-sense philosophy.” — Dr. Peter Kreeft, professor of philosophy at Boston College and The King’s College, and author of Socratic Logic: A Logic Text using Socratic Method, Platonic Questions, and Aristotelian Principles, Edition 3.1
“In an age in which truth has lost its natural and compelling self-evidence, we have to go back to the “first things” in our programs of education. Thaddeus Kozinski helps meet this need with the present book, which offers something much rarer than it ought to be: a logic textbook designed for young minds, and indeed one that understands that the purpose of logic is not just to make formally valid arguments, but to articulate what is. Highly recommended!” — Dr. David C. Schindler, Professor of Metaphysics and Anthropology, Pontifical John Paul II Institute
“While aimed at teenagers, this introduction to Aristotelian logic as it concerns the grasp and formation of concepts will be of benefit to many others, whether already learned in Aristotle or not. Its straightforward and uncomplicated presentation gives ready insight into a form of logic that, despite or perhaps because of its lack of modern ‘algebraisized’ sophistication, is more immediately intuitive and useful. Its direct, simple, and assertoric style of presentation, its clever use of examples from elementary grammar, its avoidance of philosophical polemic, as well as its use of dialog boxes, simple questions and exercises, make it eminently suited to its purpose. The mastery of the elements of Aristotelian logic is of great value in and of itself independently of its relation to other and more modern ways of teaching logic, especially as these other ways do little to promote appreciation of and mastery in the art of concept formation. This book will do much to make up for such deficiency, and at an age when direct, assertoric presentation, without distraction into controversy and alternatives, is both more suitable and more useful.” — Dr. Peter Simpson, Professor of Philosophy and Classics at the City University of New York Graduate Center
“In a comment crazed culture that forms instantaneous judgements and opinions based on slogans, memes, headlines, sound bites, and emotion, the paucity of our society’s logical skill has never been more evident. The need for a solid education in how to reason well has become all the more urgent, and Kozinski’s book starts right where it needs to: the very foundation of logical thought. Words, Concepts, Reality is an accessible and timely work for assisting young minds, and older minds that are still young in ability, become well-ordered and efficient in fulfilling their purpose: truth.” — Matt D’Antuono, physics teacher and author of A Fool’s Errand: A Brief, Informal Introduction to Philosophy for Young Catholics and other works
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Dr. Thaddeus Kozinski taught philosophy and humanities for ten years at Wyoming Catholic College, where he also served as Academic Dean. He is an advocate of Catholic liberal education and the Socratic method of teaching, and has authored a number of articles and books, including The Political Problem of Religious Pluralism: And Why Philosophers Cannot Solve It and Modernity as Apocalypse: Sacred Nihilism and the Counterfeits of Logos. He developed and taught a course on Reason in the Theology of St. Thomas at Holy Apostles College & Seminary in Cromwell, CT. At present, he teaches Great Books for Angelicum Academy and spiritual direction for Divine Mercy University.
OTHER ACADEMIC BOOKS
The Globalization of the Western Cultural Revolution: Key Concepts, Operational Mechanisms
The Globalization of the Western Cultural Revolution: Key Concepts, Operational Mechanisms by Marguerite A. Peeters, Ph.D. A new ethic, secularist in its radical aspects, has spread like wildfire all over the world since the end of the cold war. This ethic is the...
Teaching the City of God in the City of Man
Teaching the City of God in the City of Man by Patricia Hershwitzky, Ed.S. Whether used by a home school parent, a classroom teacher, or graduate level Catholic educator, Teaching the City of God in the City of Man is designed as a sectional primer to serve all...
The Lord of the Rings and Catholicism
The Lord of the Rings and Catholicism: Exploring the Christian Roots of The Lord of the Rings Trilogy by Madeleine Dobrowski This book explores the Catholic themes that can be found in The Lord of the Rings trilogy. It is written for all lovers of Tolkien, Catholic or...
Conscience and Power: The Contest for Civilization in the West
Conscience and Power: The Contest for Civilization in the West by Dr. Richard Bishirjian Conscience and Power examines how civilization in "the West" arose after the fall of the Roman Empire and has grappled ever after with a desire of citizens of nations of Western...
Clerical Sexual Misconduct, Vol. 2: A Foundational Conversation
Clerical Sexual Misconduct, Vol 2: A Foundational Conversation Editors -- Jane F. Adolphe and Robert L. Fastiggi The abuse, harassment, or devaluation of women, in any form by Catholic priests and bishops, raises concerns about: whether clerics have a healthy...
Liderazgo: Un camino hacia la paz mundial – Vol. 1 Cómo construimos nuestra grandeza y liderazgo impactando en la economía política y en la toma de decisiones
Liderazgo: Un camino hacia la paz mundial - Vol. 1 Cómo construimos nuestra grandeza y liderazgo impactando en la economía política y en la toma de decisiones por Juan Pablo Stegmann, Ph.D. Muchas personas aspiran a convertirse en líderes. Sin embargo, ¿cómo se...
Liderazgo: Un camino hacia la paz mundial – Vol. 2 La espiritualidad construye felicidad, grandeza y liderazgo
Liderazgo: Un camino hacia la paz mundial - Vol. 2 La espiritualidad construye felicidad, grandeza y liderazgo por Juan Pablo Stegmann, Ph.D. Este libro da inicio a la serie «Liderazgo: un camino hacia la paz mundial», que muestra cómo la espiritualidad es una parte...
Liderazgo: Un camino hacia la paz mundial – Vol. 3 Nuestro liderazgo transforma la economía política, promoviendo crecimiento económico, justicia social, integración social y armonía social
Liderazgo: Un camino hacia la paz mundial - Vol. 3 Nuestro liderazgo transforma la economía política, promoviendo crecimiento económico, justicia social, integración social y armonía social por Juan Pablo Stegmann, Ph.D. Este libro es el tercero de la serie de cuatro...
Liderazgo: Un Camino Hacia la Paz Mundial – Vol. 4 Nuestro Liderazgo Transforma la Toma de Decisiones, Promoviendo el Éxito Organizacional y el Bienestar Social
Liderazgo: Un Camino Hacia la Paz Mundial - Vol. 4 Nuestro Liderazgo Transforma la Toma de Decisiones, Promoviendo el Éxito Organizacional y el Bienestar Social por Juan Pablo Stegmann, Ph.D. Este es el cuarto y último volumen de la serie «Liderazgo: un camino hacia...
Heresy Disguised as Tradition
Heresy Disguised as Tradition by Pedro Gabriel A widespread assertion in Catholic circles today is that one can disregard the teachings of Pope Francis or the Second Vatican Council if they teach something that seems to go against tradition. Is this the case? In this...
Leadership: A journey toward world peace – Vol. 1 How we build our greatness and leadership impacting the political economy and decision making
Leadership: A journey toward world peace – Vol. 1 How we build our greatness and leadership impacting the political economy and decision making by Juan Pablo Stegmann, Ph.D. Everyone wants to be a leader; however, how do we build our leadership? How can we build...
Leadership: A journey toward world peace – Vol. 2 Spirituality builds happiness, greatness, and leadership
Leadership: A journey toward world peace – Vol. 2 Spirituality builds happiness, greatness, and leadership by Juan Pablo Stegmann, Ph.D. Everyone wants to be a leader; however, how do we build our leadership? How can we build leadership with greatness to positively...
Leadership: A journey toward world peace – Vol. 3 Our leadership transforms the political economy, promoting economic growth, social justice, social integration and social harmony
Leadership: A journey toward world peace – Vol. 3 Our leadership transforms the political economy, promoting economic growth, social justice, social integration and social harmony by Juan Pablo Stegmann, Ph.D. This book is the third of the four volumes: “Leadership: A...
Leadership: A journey toward world peace – Vol. 4 Our leadership transforms decision-making, promoting organizational success, and social well-being
Leadership: A journey toward world peace – Vol. 4 Our leadership transforms decision-making, promoting organizational success, and social well-being by Juan Pablo Stegmann, Ph.D. This book is the fourth of the four volumes: “Leadership: A Journey Toward World Peace,”...
The Necessity of Knowledge for Love and its Application
The Necessity of Knowledge for Love and Its Application by Fr. Paul Ezinando In this work, Fr. Paul Ezinando not only demonstrates that knowledge is a necessity for love, but he also shows that proper knowledge promotes love. Following the argument of St. Augustine,...
La Cattiva Condotta Sessuale del Clero: Un’Analisi Interdisciplinare
La Cattiva Condotta Sessuale del Clero: Un'Analisi Interdisciplinare A cura di Jane F. Adolphe e Ronald J. RychlakTraduzione italiana di Marco Toti La Cattiva Condotta Sessuale del Clero, Un’Analisi Interdisciplinare è un libro importante curato da Jane F. Adolphe e...
Unfolding a Post-Roe World
Unfolding a Post-Roe World by Francis Etheredge Unfolding a Post-Roe World is the second edition of what had formerly been entitled The ABCQ of Conceiving Conception. It explores what is involved in grasping the beginning of each of us – but we need the truth to open...
Los principios del cambio
Los principios del cambio: La reforma carmelita de Teresa de Ávila y las ideas de la gestión del cambio Kristina R. Olsen Este libro se basa en los principios de gestión del cambio organizacional para examinar la reforma de la Orden Carmelita de Teresa de Ávila en el...
Rational Responses to Skepticism: A Catholic Philosopher Defends Intellectual Foundations for Traditional Belief by Dennis Bonnette, Ph.D.
Rational Responses to Skepticism: A Catholic Philosopher Defends Intellectual Foundations for Traditional Belief by Dennis Bonnette, Ph.D. Following an avalanche of spirited criticism from skeptics, agnostics, and atheists, who have provided forceful intellectual...
After Justice: Catholic Challenges to Progressive Culture, Politics, Economics and Education
After Justice: Catholic Challenges to Progressive Culture, Politics, Economics and Education by Thomas A. Michaud, Ph.D. In recent decades in the United States, various derivative forms of Progressivism have emerged that manifest its lack of philosophical cohesion and...
Esposos Espirituales – Padres Espirituales: Formación de Sacerdotes en el Siglo Veintiuno
Esposos Espirituales - Padres Espirituales: Formación de Sacerdotes en el Siglo Veintiuno por Obispo Felipe J. Estévez, S.T.D., y Obispo Andrew H. Cozzens, S.T.D. ¡Ahora en español! En este libro se dan muchas referencias que asisten en la formación integral y que...
Political Science and Saint Thomas Aquinas
Political Science and Saint Thomas Aquinas by Dr. Donald G Boland This book seeks to provide a relatively complete basis for the understanding of political science as presented by Aristotle, with the help of Saint Thomas Aquinas mainly by way of his (partial)...
The Wonder of the Eucharist
The Wonder of the Eucharist: More Voices from the Twentieth Century by Dennis Billy, C.Ss.R. This book examines some of the major literary voices from the past century who deepened our understanding of the Eucharist by embedding it in their short stories, novels,...
Ethics Today and Saint Thomas Aquinas
Ethics Today and Saint Thomas Aquinas: A Complete Course on Moral Philosophy for Our Time and All Times by Dr. Donald G. Boland This book seeks to provide a complete moral philosophy based on the works of St. Thomas Aquinas. The first part deals with the principles or...
A History of Western Civilization from the Three Earliest Civilizations to the Completion of the Reconquista by Fr. Charles Bak, MSA
A History of Western Civilization from the Three Earliest Civilizations to the Completion of the Reconquista: Western Civilization, Part 1 by Fr. Charles Bak, MSA This book tells a good story, actually the best story--the real story! So much of history involves...
Global Healing: Poverty, Migration and Refugees, Race and Religion, War, Morality by Robin Arthur
Global Healing: Poverty, Migration and Refugees, Race and Religion, War, Morality by Robin Arthur This book seeks to examine five challenges that our changing world will increasingly confront in the aftermath of Covid-19, namely poverty, migration and refugees, race...
Paradoxes of Faith and Reason
Paradoxes of Faith and Reason by Dr. Shalina Stilley Paradox it is at the very heart of the Gospel message. The Trinity, the Incarnation, the Cross and Resurrection, and the problem of evil are but a few examples of paradoxes of faith and reason. How can God be three...
Rise and Fall of the American Empire
A new book from En Route Books and media critically analyzes how the Republic fashioned by the Framers of the Constitution in 1787 has been transformed into a deep Administrative State ruled by non-elected experts. Rise and Fall of the American Empire by Dr. Richard...
Assertions and Refutations: An Assessment of Dr Tracey Rowland’s Natural Law: From Neo Thomism to Nuptial Mysticism
Assertions and Refutations: An Assessment of Dr Tracey Rowland’s Natural Law: From Neo Thomism to Nuptial Mysticism by Frank Calneggia This book unties the philosophical knot of Dr Tracey Rowland’s assertions concerning the natural moral law, Faith and reason, nature...
Natural Law – Australian Style
Natural Law - Australian Style: A Study in Disputation focusing on the Work of Peter Singer, John Finnis and Tracey Rowland by Dr. Donald G. Boland This book is a critique of the three most prominent Australian "authorities" on Law and Ethics of the present day,...
The Drama of Metaphysics: An Exploration into the Psychological Power of Worldviews
The Drama of Metaphysics: An Exploration into the Psychological Power of Worldviews by Stephen Alexander Beach Western Philosophy has been a 2500-year conversation attempting to understand the reality which lies beyond the changing physical appearances of the world....
Home for the Homily: The Sacred Art of Homiletics
Home for the Homily: The Sacred Art of Homiletics by Kiki Latimer Home for The Homily: The Sacred Art of Homiletics concerns a new and required depth of preaching the word of God within the Mass. This calls for a new and deeper appreciation of communication skills....
Human Nature: Moral Norm
Human Nature: Moral Norm by Francis Etheredge There is a 'difference, both anthropological and moral, between contraception and recourse to the rhythm of the cycle: it is a difference which is much wider and deeper than is usually thought, one which involves in the...
Reaching for the Resurrection: A Pastoral Bioethics
Reaching for the Resurrection: A Pastoral Bioethics Loneliness, Aloneness, Euthanasia, Meaning, Anorexia, Brain Death, Conversion, and the Death and Resurrection of Christ by Francis Etheredge Francis Etheredge returns to the subject of bioethics with essays on...
Principles of Change by Kristina R. Olsen
Principles of Change: Teresa of Avila’s Carmelite Reform and Insights from Change Management Kristina R. Olsen This book draws from organizational change management principles to examine Teresa of Avila’s 16th-century reform of the Carmelite Order. During the last...
The Battle for the 20th Century Mind by Ronda Chervin
The Battle for the 20th Century Mind by Ronda Chervin TBA Paperback: $19.95 | Kindle: $9.99 Reviews A review of Dr. Ronda Chervin’s, The Battle for the 20th Century Mind (St. Luis, MO: En Route Books and Media, 2022) by Francis Etheredge Ronda Chervin sets out her...
Conscious Energy and the Evolution of Philosophy
Conscious Energy and the Evolution of Philosophy by Joe P. Provenzano This is a book about philosophy, but it is a book for everyone—everyone who has ever wondered about the meaning of the universe and human life—because it provides answers to two fundamental...
A Primer in the Philosophy of John Paul II–In His Own Words
A Primer in the Philosophy of John Paul II--In His Own Words by Dr. Michael J. Healy To aid students in comprehending the Holy Father's thought, Dr. Healy provides close-to-the-text summary interpretations of Saint John Paul II's major philosophical works, condensing...
Three Acts: A Commentary on Plato’s Theaetetus
Three Acts: A Commentary on Plato's Theaetetus by Brandon Spun This guide to Plato’s Theaetetus is both an introduction to philosophy and an analysis of the dialogue according to the three acts of the mind. It suggests that Plato explores the problem of knowledge by...
Exploring the Belief in the Real Presence
Exploring the Belief in the Real Presence (Second Edition) by Dr. David J. Keys When an evangelical minister asked him why one would believe that Jesus is present -- body, blood, soul, and divinity -- in communion, Dr. Keys began an intensive study into the ancient...
The Biblical Qur’an: A Christian Investigation
The Biblical Qur'an: A Christian Investigation by Michael Healy, Jr. Can Christians interpret the Qur’an Christocentricly, as we have always done with the Old Testament? How would such a reading of the Qur’an modify our understanding of Christian and Muslim history?...
Philosophy Begins in Wonder
Philosophy Begins in Wonder by Stephen D. Schwarz with Kiki Latimer This book is the compilation of over fifty years of teaching Ethics, Metaphysics, Epistemology, Philosophy of the Person, and Virtue Ethics in the classroom setting. Philosophy Begins in Wonder offers...
The Gender Link to the Human Soul by Kimberly Bruce
The Gender Link to the Human Soul by Kimberly Bruce The Gender Link to the Human Soul establishes gender as an element of the soul retained in this life and for all eternity. This is demonstrated in the brilliant philosophical insights of Thomas Aquinas and John Paul...
History of Peter
History of Peter by Roger Skrenes Peter is spoken of 195 times in the New Testament, twice as many times as all the other Apostles combined. Today, when Peter is discussed, however, what is most often emphasized is the erratic or sinful side of his personality. Jesus...
Peter and Wendy
Peter and Wendy: Growing Up in Neverland by Dennis Billy, C.Ss.R. This book looks at J. M. Barrie's classic children's story Peter Pan to see what it can tell us about ourselves and our situation today. It discovers in this classic fairy-tale about the boy from...
Weeds Among Wheat
Weeds Among Wheat: L'Arche and the Tainted Legacy of Jean Vanier by Dennis Billy, C.Ss.R. This book is about baking the bread of Christian community from the grains of our broken humanity. It is primarily concerned with distinguishing L'Arche's authentic spirituality...
How to Listen & How to Speak by Dr. Peter Redpath
How to Listen & How to Speak: Standing on the Shoulders of Giants to Renew Commonsense and Uncommonsense Wisdom in the Contemporary World by Dr. Peter Redpath While the subject of this monograph is chiefly human communication in the form of listening and speaking,...
21 Centuries of Church History in 21 Pages by Albert Domm
21 Centuries of Church History in 21 Pages by Albert Domm Focused on our Catholic faith, Albert Domm's 21 Centuries of Church History in 21 Pages engages the Catholic reader in a concise but rich history of our Church one full century at a time. A narrative flow, this...
Teaching and Learning in the Age of COVID19
Teaching and Learning in the Age of COVID19: Faith-Based -- Online and Emergency Remote Ed. by Sebastian Mahfood, OP, Ph.D., Timothy Westbrook, Ph.D., and Victoria Dunnam, Ph.D. with a Foreword by Dr. Mary E. Lowe Over the past two decades, a generation of...
The Image of God: Give Man His Dignity by Augustine Kelechi Ikegwu, O.SS.T.
A distinguished publisher and the owner of 𝙎𝙩𝙤𝙨𝙨 𝘽𝙤𝙤𝙠𝙨, Sir Stephen Leininger and his wife, Donna Leininger The Image of God: Give Man His Dignity by Augustine Kelechi Ikegwu, O.SS.T. The African man is called to a sober reflection about himself in relation to others...