The Uses of Argument [Paperback]

Stephen Edelston Toulmin (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: July 7, 2003 | ISBN-10: 0521534836 | ISBN-13: 978-0521534833 | Edition: Updated

This reissue of the modern classic on the study of argumentation features a new Introduction by the author.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"In spite of initial criticisms from logicians and fellow philosophers, The Uses of Argument has been an enduring source of inspiration and discussion to students of argumentation from all kinds of disciplinary background for more than forty years." Frans van Eemeren, University of Amsterdam

Book Description

"In spite of initial criticisms from logicians and fellow philosophers, The Uses of Argument has been an enduring source of inspiration and discussion to students of argumentation from all kinds of disciplinary background for more than forty years. " Frans van Eemeren, University of Amsterdam

Product Details

• Paperback: 262 pages
• Publisher: Cambridge University Press; Updated edition (July 7, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0521534836
• ISBN-13: 978-0521534833
• Product Dimensions: 9.7 x 5.5 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #73,051 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

40 of 43 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A classic--in argument, rhetoric, and philosophy, April 28, 2005

By 

Dr. Steven M. Weiss (Cincinnati, OH) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Uses of Argument (Paperback)

Stephen Toulmin's The Uses of Argument distinguishes itself as a work of importance in three different yet related fields. As philosophy it offers a compelling critique of analytic methods for looking at arguments, showing the limitations of a philosophical system that excludes discussion of ethical and practical issues. As rhetorical theory it was, along with Perelman's New Rhetoric, to reinvigorate Aristotle's topics within philosophical and practical argument. As argumentation theory, it models and maps arguments, providing a basic vocabulary for establishing claims, in terms of "warrants," "grounds," and "backing."

Toulmin is a gifted and engaging writer. He often lays out a concept in incomplete form, though, making one wonder exactly what he meant. You have to look at other things he's written much later to see a fuller exposition of an idea that is tantalizing in its original instance. He, for example, discusses "argument field" in Uses of Argument, but provides little explication of the term. You have to read his much later Human Understanding to begin to get a fuller picture of the idea.

Toulmin has often changed directions intellectually, so his work might not universally appeal to someone interested in argument or rhetoric. Nevertheless, his knowledge and writing style make him a consistently entertaining philosophical showman, much in the tradition of Bertrand Russell. He has also written one of the best books ever about Wittgenstein.

He has made significant contributions to epistemology and the philosophy of science.

15 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Reasoning for Everyman--Beyond Aristotle and Mills, February 8, 2008

By 

C. J. Clavadetscher "quickshot carl" (Herndon, VA United States) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: The Uses of Argument (Paperback)

Toulmin presents a highly utilitarian approach to the construction of real arguments for real people. This is not Copi's classic formal logic text. This is applied reasoning, as timely now as when authored. [A current standard body effort to establish reasoning templates for computer software assurance cases relies heavily on Toulmin.] No syllogisms, epicheiremes, sorites. Merely a rock solid easily understood and easily and effectively applied two-part six element structure for making arguments that optimize the case. Worth every penny. A true classic.

42 of 50 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Brillant book, giving new insights on our use of reason, October 25, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: The Uses of Argument (Paperback)

It is a book you won't forget. Far from being boring or too technical, it is filled with examples, often funny, that help you to understand better the way our reasoning works. The classical categories are here related to our daily use of reason and the 'human face' of logic is brillantly presented.