The Art of Argument: How to Read Books

Sergey Innokentyevich Povarнин (1870–1952) is a philosopher, professor at Leningrad State University, a major specialist in logic and rhetoric.

These books were widely discussed in the 1920s and 1930s of the 20th century; they stood next to Y. Perelman’s “Entertaining Physics” and “Entertaining Mathematics,” and then were undeservedly forgotten. But now they’ve become in demand again.

Reading books—what could be simpler? We’re taught to read from primary school, but how do we read? “How it’s read,” yes—but in many cases the harm from such reading is more than the benefit. That’s why an attentive reader simply must familiarize themselves with the methods and skills of rational reading.

In addition, the collection “The Art of Dispute,” along with A. Schopenhauer’s “The Art of Winning Arguments,” will teach you to read “between the lines” in mass media, to notice their tricks, and to present your arguments correctly in any discussion.