The Field Manual for Intellectual Combat

Dive into Madsen Pirie’s cheeky handbook on the dark arts of persuasion. This episode breaks down classic logical fallacies—think Red Herrings, Abusive Analogies, and other conversation-derailers—showing how to spot them, defend against them, and (with a wink) use them when the stakes call for it. We weigh the book’s value as a critical-thinking toolkit against its risks in the wrong hands and offer practical ways to turn these tactics into ethical shields for clearer, more honest discussions. Tune in for memorable examples, quick-identify tricks, and a playful reminder: knowing the rules lets you keep the conversation honest.