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Born
Stephen Toulmin was born in London -
Bachelors from Cambridge
Graduated Cambridge University with a bachelors in Mathematics and Physics -
Returns to Cambridge after World War II
He completed his studies earning a Ph.D. in moral sciences -
Begins Teaching
He began teaching Philosophy of Science at Oxford. This teaching job was following by numerous teaching assignments across the world in his career. -
Publishes Book
Stephen Toulmin published his influential book "The Uses of Argument" which spelled out the six parts of a persuasive argument. In this, he also challenges some of Plato's teachings. He argued that truth can be relative reminding me of the paradigms we studies this week. Toulmin, Stephen. The Uses of Argument. Cambridge University Press, 1958. -
Publishes "Human Understanding"
In his book "Human Understanding: The Collective Use and Evolution of Concepts" Toulmin challenged Kuhn's view on paradigm shifts. Instead of a revolutionary progression of science Kuhn argued for a Darwinian model. Toulmin, Stephen. Human Understanding. Princeton University Press, 1972. Grimes, William. “Stephen Toulmin, a Philosopher and Educator, Dies at 87.” The New York Times, The New York Times, 11 Dec. 2009, www.nytimes.com/2009/12/11/education/11toulmin.html. -
Selected for the Jefferson Lecture
Selected by the National Endowment for the Humanities, The Jefferson Lecture is the "highest honor for achievement in the humanities" by the United States federal government. Johnson, Pamela J. “In Memoriam: Stephen E. Toulmin, 87.” USC News, 3 Apr. 2012, news.usc.edu/30124/In-Memoriam-Stephen-E-Toulmin-87/. -
Died
Stephen Toulmin died of a heart attack at the USC University Hospital at age 87