Reddit reviews The Art of Deception: An Introduction to Critical Thinking

It's called "political propaganda."

Capaldi had a good book on that, iirc. THE ART OF DECEPTION.

http://www.amazon.com/Art-Deception-Introduction-Critical-Thinking/dp/159102532X/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1414461181&sr=1-1&keywords=nicholas+capaldi

There are a number of books that I think you ought to read to get a better understanding of office politics and how to cope/deal with them. All offices have politicking going on, and any company that claims otherwise is lying to you. Any time more than 2 people get together, there will be some sort of jostling for power and attention. When that happens at work, we call it "office politics".

Your library may have these, and if you get them, read them at home. Don't ever bring them into the office.

Corporate Confidential. HR is your enemy, not your friend. Gives a number of examples of what will destroy your career with companies, many of which you (and I) probably do without realizing the consequences.

The Passionate Programmer. The first edition of this book was called "my job went to India". While aimed at programmers, the points are to keep your mind and skills up to date as technology and business move too rapidly to let things get rusty.

To Be or Not to Be Intimidated.
Looking out for number one.
Million Dollar Habits. I feel that these 3 by Robert Ringer are very important. If you think his first book was about to intimidate others, you only read the press coverage. If you think his books are about real estate, then you only skimmed them. There are a lot of people in the world who will try to intimidate you into giving up what is yours, and he shows you what some of them are like, and what countermeasures you can use.

The Art of Deception. Bad title - it is about arguments, how to make them, win them and tell if you're hearing a bad one. Used to be called "rhetoric" when Plato and Aristotle taught the subject.

Snakes in Suits. There are some evil people out there. You'll work for some of them. You will be stabbed in the back by some of them.

Bullies, Tyrants, and Impossible People. One book on office politics and dealing with some of the worse sort.

The Gentle Art of Verbal Self-Defense at Work. Some folks are very good with verbal manipulation, this book and the others in the series, cover how to deal with such people.

Winning with People. Most of the books this author writes are about managers and leadership. This book is more about people skills. It will be focused more at managers, but I think it is a good one.

The 48 Laws of Power. They have it. You want some. Light read with anecdotes. I like his other books as well.

Games At Work. Office politics.

It's All Politics. Yes it is.

Moral Politics. Liberals and conservatives, why do they think that way? You'll work with some of the opposite persuasion some day, so understanding where they come from is a reasonable idea. Most books on this subject are insulting and degrading, but I think this one is pretty much judgement-free.

> When I walk by him going to the bathroom, he will stop talking until I walk by.

Do the same. When they come to your desk, always brush them aside with "I'm sorry, I can't talk now, I'm busy working".

You should increase your critical thinking skills so you would not be taken in by fallacious videos, bad magicians, radio talk show hosts and other deceptions common among the naive and dull.

Let's think of it this way - If you are trying to teach yourself to play the guitar,. and you see people who are more skilled at it than you ,.. wouldn't you be grateful for their lessons and advice? Only a fool would not take a lesson if they had the opportunity to get better at something.

Learning to think is a lot like that.

Here, try this book if they won't let you in a classroom for some reason : http://www.amazon.com/The-Art-Deception-Introduction-Critical/dp/159102532X/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1413953967&sr=8-2&keywords=The+Art+of+Deception

This is a Coincidence! Am currently reading How to Think About Weird Things: Critical Thinking for a New Age (4th edition, borrowed from the local library). Quite good so far.

Have also bought The Art of Deception: An Introduction to Critical Thinking. Haven't got around to reading it yet.