FROM THE EDITORS 

We often use this column to draw attention fortuitous connections 
(commonalities and contrasts) among the articles herein published-articles 
usually conceived and written in relative independence from one another. The 
present contents provide a nice case in point. 

The aggressive style of Michael Wreen's counter-attack against Walton and 
Brinton on the topic of the correct analysis of ad baculum arguments--an ironic 
combination of use and mention, carried off with tongue firmly in cheek in the 
service of serious logical matters-forms a vexing juxtaposition with the papers 
by Kathleen Miller and Deborah Orr, which explore the difficult, nuanced issues 
surrounding the connections between feminism and critical thinking, patriarchy 
and logic. Does Wreen's article illustrate the model that Miller finds quite 
compatible with feminist modes of communication and evaluating? Is it a stretch 
to read Orr's investigation of the logic of moral reasoning as implying a 
commentary on Wreen's discussion of the argument from the stick? Edwin 
Coleman's critique of the alleged fallacy of arguing from authority does not so 
clearly raise such questions, but it belongs together with Wreen's article in an 
increasingly popular genre that has turned fallacy-conceptualization on its ear: the 
unmasking of fallacies as good arguments. 

Extra thanks to Jonathan Adler, our intrepid book review editor, for 
conceiving and assembling the discussion of Roy Sorenson fascinating book, 
Thought Experiments. It was an inspiration to start the discussion with a precis of 
the book by the author himself. The ensuing vigorous critiques by Martin Bunzl 
and Richard Feldman, followed by Sorenson's generous reply. make for pleasing 
as well as instructive reading. 

Trudy Govier's review of New Essays in Informal Logic outlines and 
critiques its several articles which, she concludes. deserve the attention of the 
informal logic scholarly community. 

Masthead readers will have noted Pierre Boulos's name alongside Mark 
Letteri's, our long-time Managing Editor. Budget cuts at our University have 
removed Mark's position, to our great loss. Our thanks go out to Mark for his 
dedication and hard work over the past several years. This year we received a 
three-year Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada grant 
which, while it does not enable us to afford to keep Mark, does provide us with 
some funding for editorial assistance, and we are fortunate that Pierre. who is 
working on his dissertation in the philosophy of science. was looking for part-
time employment and fits our operation nicely.