SPCM 201 1st Edition Lecture 25Stephen Toulmin: Rethinking Rhetoric as Argument Stephen Toulmin 1922-2009 British Thinker Philosopher by training Less successful at it Meanwhile, highly regarded by rhetoricians Rarely acknowledged us The Uses of Argument (1958) Traditional Models of Argument Dialectic Syllogisms (i.e. Plato) Rhetoric Enthymemes (i.e. Aristotle) Reasoning Induction/Deduction (Aristotle) Topoi Common/Specific (Aristotle) Toulmin is Dissatisfied with the Traditional Models… Why? Some are field-dependent while other are field-invariant - Some assessed based on topical measures while others we do not In other words, arguments (as is) are too idiosyncratic Toulmin wants to be able to talk about arguments across topics and disciplines Toulmin thinks real people do not argue this way (state claims when talking about music or movies) To take a systemic approach Toulmin vs. Kairos? Is Toulmin challenging the situations of rhetoric? Isocrates: There are no universal kinds of arguments (i.e. kairos) Not really Toulmin claims that while the CONTENT (or CRITERIA) of an argument may change, its FORCE is consistent across fields of argument In other words, there are systematic ways of reading arguments, but what you argue still changes depending on circumstances Contemporary Argument The Toulmin Model Data/Evidence Qualifier Claim Backing Warrant< Rebuttal Parts of the Toulmin Model CLAIM “A conclusion whose merits we are seeking to establish.”- The point you are trying to prove DATA “The facts we appeal to as a foundation for our claim”- Evidence to support your claim WARRANT “General, hypothetical statements, which can act as bridges, and authorize the sort of steps to which our particular argument commits us- Reasoning/mental leaps QUALIFIER “The degree of face which our data confer on our claim - How certain are we of the claims BACKING “Other assurances” which give warrants authority and currency - Evidence to support your warrant REBUTTAL “Circumstances in which the general authority of the warrant would have to be bet aside- The “escape hatch” Example Argument The Toulmin Model Claim “Fernando will pay in-state tuition at CSU.” Evidence: “Fernando lives in Colorado…” Warrant: “CO state residents pay in-state tuition…” Backing: “…According to the CSU Financial Aid Office.” Qualifier: “Almost certainly…” Rebuttal: “Unless he has not lived in CO fir at least a
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