Steve

Stephen Toulmin

  • Born

    Stephen Edelston Toulmin was born in London, United Kingdom to Geoffrey Edelson Toulmin and Doris Holman Toulmin.
  • Graduated Cambridge University

    Toulmin earns Bachelor of Arts degree from Cambridge University.
  • PhD in Ethics

    After WWII, he earned his PhD in ethics at his Alma Mater Cambridge University. While at Cambridge, Professor Toulmin's mentors were Ludwig Wittegnstein and John Wisdom. Toulmin was heavily influenced by Wittengnstein.
  • The Philosophy of Science: and Introduction (1953)

    The Philosophy of Science: and Introduction (1953)
    Toulmin was selected to be the university lecturer in the philosophy of science at Oxford University shortly after graduating from Cambridge. During his time as University Lecturer, he published his second book, The Philosophy of Science: and Introduction (1953).
  • The Uses of Argument (1958)

    The Uses of Argument (1958)
    While at University of Leeds, he wrote one of his most influential books, The Uses of Argument (1958). Through this book the model of arguementation was created.
  • Human Understanding: The Collective Use and Evolution of Concepts

    Human Understanding: The Collective Use and Evolution of Concepts
    By 1972, Toulmin had been living in the Unites States for quite some time. He was currently teaching at the University of California, there he published Human Understanding: The Collective Use and Evolution of Concepts.
  • The Abuse of Casuistry: A History of Moral Reasoning

    The Abuse of Casuistry: A History of Moral Reasoning
    From 1975 to 1978 Toulmin worked with the National Commission for the Protection of Human Subjects and Behavioral Research. He collaborated with biomedical ethicist and author Albert R. Jonsen, together they co-wrote The Abuse of Casuistry: A History of Moral Reasoning (1988).
  • Retirement

    After many years of being professing at The University of Chicago, Dr. Toulmin retired from the University of Southern California. He died on December 4, 2009 in Los Angeles, California