Conditional Reasoning

"This book is an encyclopedic tour through the philosophical, linguistic, and psychological literatures on conditional reasoning by an eminent cognitive scientist. A final chapter summarizes what can be claimed to be known and what issues are yet to be resolved. It is truly amazing that there are so many ways to interpret 'If.'" --Thomas B. Sheridan, Ford Professor of Engineering and Applied Psychology Emeritus, MIT "Raymond Nickerson, a preeminent contemporary student of human thought, has once again provided a novel and deep analysis of a kind of human reasoning. From several different points of view he now considers the logic and psychology of conditional reasoning, specifically the significance-loaded word 'if.' The depth of his analysis makes this a must read for anyone in the psychological community. His work is a model of what psychology can be." --William Uttal, Professor Emeritus (Engineering), Arizona State University and Professor Emeritus (Psychology), University of Michigan "A major contribution to the study of conditional reasoning by a leading cognitive psychologist." -Richard E. Nisbett, Theodore M. Newcomb Distinguished University Professor, Department of Psychology, University of Michigan "If is as tricky as it is central to thinking. Philosophers, linguists, logicians, computer scientists, and psychologists all have had their say. Here is a book that sorts out the complexities, and that lays out all the different theories in a clear-minded and critical way. You should read it if you want to make sense of conditional reasoning." -Philip Johnson-Laird, Stuart Professor of Psychology, Princeton University "Ray Nickerson is known for being attracted to difficult intellectual puzzles-and also for dropping them in the laps of his friends, to their confusion and delight. In this book, he addresses the shortest word able to induce the longest and often most difficult of puzzles: namely, if. As always, Ray's work is stimulating, powerful, and a joy to read. To follow him is rather like being Dante guided by Virgil, though it is hard at times to decide whether we are traveling through the 'Inferno' or 'Paradiso.' And that is perhaps the great gift of this book." -Neville Moray, Professor Emeritus of Applied Cognitive Psychology, University of Surrey