The Art of Argument: Exploring Toulmin Logic

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

2. 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

3. 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”

4. Definitions Data Claim 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 Warrant

5. Structure of Logic Data Claim • 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 Warrant

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

7. 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),

8. Full Structure of Toulmin Logic Qualifier Claim Data Warrant Rebuttal Backing

9. 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

10. 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)

11. 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

12. Uses in School • Science Labs • Socratic Seminars • Persuasive Essays • Debates

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

14. 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

15. 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 larger • Qualifier: These data were recorded in the World Championship which is a valid event • Rebuttal: N/A

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