A central theme throughout the impressive series of philosophical books andarticles Stephen Toulmin has published since 1948 is the way in whichassertions and o... » 

A central theme throughout the impressive series of philosophical books andarticles Stephen Toulmin has published since 1948 is the way in whichassertions and opinions concerning all sorts of topics brought up in everydaylife or in academic research can be rationally justified. Is there oneuniversal system of norms by which all sorts of arguments in all sorts offields must be judged or must each sort of argument be judged according to itsown norms In The Uses of Argument 1958 Toulmin sets out his views on thesequestions for the first time. In spite of initial criticisms from logicians andfellow philosophers The Uses of Argument has been an enduring source ofinspiration and discussion to students of argumentation from all kinds ofdisciplinary background for more than forty years. «