Toulmin's model of argument and the question of relativism

Abstract

In The Uses of Argument, Toulmin proposed a distinction between fielddependent and field-invariant standards for argument appraisal that gave rise to a relativistic understanding of his theory. The main goal of this paper is to show that epistemological relativism is not a necessary consequence of Toulmin's model of argument. To this end, I will analyze the role that fields are to play within this model, given a proposed conception of one of its key elements: the warrant of an argument. © 2006 Springer.