Toulmin’s Model of Argument According to Dr. Caughron

Stephen Toulmin ( ) -British professor -Secular humanist & philosopher of morality -Believed, contrary to the ancient Greek philosophers (Socrates, Plato, Aristotle), that moral truth is constructed over time (vs. discovered) and may change (i.e., a Hegelian) -Created a model of analyzing moral arguments that was picked up more by Composition & Rhetoric scholars than Philosophy scholars

Toulmin’s Model Data / Evidence     Claim. But we want to know WHY that data / evidence justify the claim (of truth, of value, of policy). The Warrant links the two. The Backing verifies the Warrant. The Reservation acknowledges flaws, exceptions, limitations.

Advantages of Toulmin’s Model It can be a helpful way to think about an argument, and to see the underlying principles and ideas that underlie our arguments. Note: Toulmin works rather differently for different kinds of claims (i.e., fact* vs. value vs. policy) *predictions are a form of “Claim of Fact” – “The sun will rise tomorrow.” But a fact that has not yet occurred is not a fact because future facts do not yet EXIST.

Example From Wikipedia.

Example from Book BECAUSE it looks like rain, (Data) THEREFORE I will take my umbrella. (Claim) And this is a good idea SINCE umbrellas keep off the rain, which is why I will take one (Warrant) ON ACCOUNT OF their water-repellant fabric (Backing) EXCEPT WHEN there are holes in it. (Reservation)

Example from Class BECAUSE they add stress (Data / Evidence) THEREFORE grades should be abolished. (Claim) I hold this to be true SINCE stress interferes with learning, which is the purpose of education (Warrant) ON ACCOUNT OF the effects of cortisol on the brain* (Backing – but is this actually true? What else is going on that might need to be taken into account?) EXCEPT for the fact that a lot of people are positively motivated by grades, and a well-earned good grade boosts positive feelings and self-confidence (Reservation: This reservation is so strong that I no longer hold the claim to be true without serious re-adjustment - !)

Another Example Because Barbie has a dramatically unrealistic and unhealthy figure (data), therefore I will not buy my daughter Barbie dolls (claim). This decision is wise since playing with Barbie will make little girls aspire to an unrealistic and unhealthy figure (warrant) on account of the fact that playing with Barbie will lead them to believe that she has desirable physical qualities (backing) Except that many girls who play with Barbie have grown up to have a positive body-image anyway (reservation).

Still Another Example Because Barbie is an action figure of a materialistic adult woman, therefore I will not buy my daughter Barbie dolls (claim). This decision is wise since playing with Barbie will make little girls aspire to materialistic goals (warrant) on account of the fact that children act out in play what they want to do as an adult (backing 1) and a child’s toys, like an adult’s tools, shape their activities (backing 2) Except for girls who find it less interesting to take Barbie shopping and the pool than to bend her legs around and wonder how the plastic insides work (reservation [and yes, this was Dr. Caughron when she got to play with Barbie at friends houses! ]).

Final Example Because Toulmin’s model reveals hidden assumptions (data), therefore the model is useful (claim.) Since it is useful to understand the hidden assumptions behind claims (warrant), on account of the fact that hidden assumptions may be wrong (backing). Except, it is a fact that to make this example I had to resort to thinking syllogistically, and this only make sense to me in light of middle terms and premises! (reservation)

In conclusion: Toulmin seems most handy for those who are already well-versed in classical Logic. To use Toulmin well, you need an understanding of the classical syllogism, in my opinion. Moreover, Toulmin’s model uses but does not acknowledge many important components of classical Logic: definitions, distinctions, truth vs. validity, formal fallacies, induction, deduction, material fallacies, etc. Basically: if you still don’t understand Toulmin, you shouldn’t worry about it too much. You’ll probably review it in your college composition class anyway. Just make sure you understand the Logic Powerpoints instead!

Thanks for your patience, dear students! Dr. Caughron struggles to grasp things too sometimes. But when we persevere, things do make sense after a while! [End.]