A Hybrid Theory of Stories and Arguments

Abstract

The new, hybrid theory of reasoning about criminal evidence. In the hybrid theory, stories and arguments are combined: each of the parties proposes some story about what (might have) happened in the case and supports with arguments from evidence to some element of the story. The parties can also use arguments to critique each other’s story; for example, they can argue that the other party’s story is incoherent or that there is evidence that contradicts it. The chapter ends by laying down some criteria for judging a party’s position in a case.