Traditionally, logic has been claimed to be 'the science of rational argument', but the relevance to our everyday disputes of the formal logician's results has remained unclear. The abstract character of traditional logic cuts the subject off from practical considerations; Mr Toulmin enquires why this is so, and shows how an alternative conception can be of more general value. Starting from an examination of the actual procedures in different fields of argument - the practice, as opposed to the theory, of logic - he discloses a richer variety than is allowed for by any available system. He argues that jurisprudence rather than mathematics should be the logician's model in analysing rational procedures, and that logic should be a comparative and not a purely formal study. These suggestions lead to conclusions which many will consider controversial; though they will also be widely recognized as interesting and illuminating. This book extends into general philosophy lines of enquiry already sketched by Mr Toulmin in his earlier books on ethics and the philosophy of science. The ordinary reader will find in it the same clarity and intelligibility; and the professional philosopher will acknowledge the same power to break new ground (and circumvent old difficulties) by posing fresh and stimulating questions.
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'An interesting and provocative discussion of the philosophical issues about the nature of logic.' Nature
'A book designed to awaken philosophers out of a nightmare - the nightmare brought on by an over-rich banquet upon logico-mathematical ideals.' The Humanist
'A book designed to awaken philosophers out of a nightmare - the nightmare brought on by an over-rich banquet upon logico-mathematical ideals.' The Humanist
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4.7 out of 5 stars
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40 of 43 people found the following review helpful
4.0 out of 5 stars
A classic--in argument, rhetoric, and philosophy
29 April 2005
By Dr. Steven M. Weiss
- Published on Amazon.com
Format: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.
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.
16 of 16 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars
Reasoning for Everyman--Beyond Aristotle and Mills
8 Feb 2008
By C. J. Clavadetscher
- Published on Amazon.com
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
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
25 Oct 1999
By A Customer
- Published on Amazon.com
Format: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.
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4.7 out of 5 stars
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