The Art of Argument: Exploring Toulmin Logic By Patrick, Daniel and Rodney

Stephen Toulmin British philosopher, author, and educator Devoted his works to the analysis of moral reasoning Believed absolutism has limited practical value Introduced practical argument method

New System of Logic Based on justification rather than inference More literal rather than theoretical New argument could now stand up to criticism Published in his book “The Uses of Argumentation”

ClaimData Warrant Data: information that is gathered through observation or experimentation Warrant: inferences or assumed beliefs that support the claim, can be based upon logos, pathos, ethos, or shared values Claim: the statement that one is asserting Definitions

Structure of Logic Using data, supported by a warrant, to form a claim. Warrant supports data which supports claim. Backing, qualifiers and rebuttals can further support the claim Very literal and scientific approach ClaimData Warrant

Simple Example Data: My pen is not writing on the paper Claim: My pen has run out of ink Warrant: Pens without ink do not write Data Warrant Claim

One Step Further Backing: a credible source or citation, backing up the warrant Qualifier: Indicates speaker’s degree of certainty of the claim, often uses words such as certainly, absolutely, maybe, etc. Rebuttal: argument opposing the opposition, can be in the same setup (i.e. data, claim, warrant),

Full Structure of Toulmin Logic Claim Data Warrant Rebuttal Qualifier Backing

Simple Example Expanded Data: My pen is not writing on the paper Claim: My pen has run out of ink Warrant: Pens without ink do not write Backing: Bic came out with a study proving that pens with less than 5% of the original supply of ink cannot write properly Qualifier: I am completely sure this pen ran out of ink Rebuttal: There are other problems that can lead to the malfunction of pens, such as a broken tip

Advantages to using Toulmin Logic Presents argument structure that facilitates support and validity for said argument. Always room for doubt in an argument, leaving room for reasons yet undiscovered and rebuttal Allows for logic to be updated as new discoveries are made Arguments can be presented and debated as long as you have some data to back up your claim Presents arguments literally rather than theoretically (dichotomy)

Disadvantages to using Toulmin Logic Does not allow for absolutes Requires an extensive support system if the claim is to be validated Can always be disputed as there is always a limited degree of validity

Uses in School Science Labs Socratic Seminars Persuasive Essays Debates

Uses in the Real World Lawyers Scientists Statistics Will Politicians Literary Analysts Everyday life

Real Life Example Each year, a World Championship Pumpkin Weights Competition is held to determine the largest pumpkin of the year. Here are the data for years 1979 to 2007 YearWeight (lb)YearWeight (lb)YearWeight (lb)

Analysis Claim: as years increase, farmers will grow larger and larger pumpkins because of genetic modification biology Warrant: Pumpkins modified to grow larger will grow larger Backing: Genetic modification of potato development using Ri T-DNA scholarly article by G. Ooms, A. Karp, M. M. Burrell, D. Twell and J. Roberts proved that potatoes and other vegetables/fruits can be genetically modified to grow largerG. OomsA. KarpM. M. BurrellD. TwellJ. Roberts Qualifier: These data were recorded in the World Championship which is a valid event Rebuttal: N/A

The End Claim Data Warrant Backing Data Warrant Qualifiers Rebuttal Qualifiers Data Warrant Backing (Daniel’s Original Model of Toulmin Logic)