ToulminAnsatz

ToulminAnsatz is the German-language designation for the Toulmin model of argumentation, a pragmatic framework for analyzing and constructing everyday arguments developed by British philosopher Stephen Toulmin and published in his 1958 book The Uses of Argument. It emphasizes the functional roles of different elements in an argument rather than formal logical validity.

The model identifies six core components: Daten (data or grounds) that provide the facts or evidence; Anspruch (claim) which is the conclusion being argued for; Gewähr (warrant) that links the data to the claim by expressing the underlying principle or reasoning; Stützung (backing) which supports the warrant; Einschränkung (qualifier) indicating the strength or degree of certainty of the claim; and Gegenbeweis (rebuttal) acknowledging exceptions or counterarguments. Some descriptions group or label these components differently, but the intent is to make argument structure explicit and practical.

ToulminAnsatz is widely used in rhetoric, law, education, communication studies, and artificial intelligence for teaching critical thinking, analyzing persuasive discourse, and modeling defeasible reasoning. Its strengths include applicability to informal and context-dependent arguments and clarity in identifying weaknesses. Criticisms note that it is descriptive rather than prescriptive, may be underspecified for complex arguments, and can be interpreted variably across disciplines. Nonetheless, it remains influential as a tool for understanding how ordinary arguments function in real-world contexts.