Farnsworth’s Classical English Argument

Ward Farnsworth is Professor and W. Page Keeton Chair at the University of Texas School of Law. He is author of The Socratic Method, The Practicing Stoic, and the Farnsworth Classical English series which includes Farnsworth’s Classical English Argument, Farnsworth’s Classical English Rhetoric, Farnsworth’s Classical English Metaphor, and Farnsworth’s Classical English Style—all published by Godine.

"Learn the art of argument from the masters. Here is a curated collection, with hundreds of examples, of reasoning and debate from the golden age of debate in England and America. Leave it to Farnsworth to illuminate principles of debate through examples by masters of the language. Thomas Paine, Abraham Lincoln, Jonathan Swift, Edmund Burke, Winston Churchill, and many others, each provide exemplars of reasoning, persuasion, and aggression. From "Insult and Invective" to "Reductio ad Absurdum," from "Ad Hominem Arguments," to "Deduction and Induction" (and the final chapter "Futility"), readers will see how to craft winning arguments of their own. A readable reference, the book is also meant for fun. "It shows masters of the language," as Farnsworth writes, "crossing analytical swords and exchanging abuse when those things were done with more talent and dignity than is common today. They made argument a spectator sport of lasting value and interest." Farnsworth's Classical English Argument is the fourth book in a series about wise use of words from an earlier age that we can learn from today. Previous titles in the series are Farnsworth's Classical English Rhetoric, Farnsworth's Classical English Metaphor, and Farnsworth's Classical English Style. Each one is for readers seeking a deeper understanding of communication by seeing how it is done at its best"