1. Identify elements of Toulmin's model in Russel's essay 'Keeping Errors at Bay'.
Image Source : Google
Being a perspective essay, 'Keeping Errors at Bay' is designed in an argumentative fashion. Russel has deployed Toulmin's model of argument to convey his message on how we can refrain from committing silly errors. This essay changes our perspective on prevention of error as being a simple act of following some effective rules rather than a great feat achieved only by geniuses. The following elements of Toulmin's model can be perceived while going through the essay.
1. Claim and Qualifier
The claim of writer is explicit in the first paragraph. He claims that no superhuman genius is required to avoid the various foolish opinions to which mankind are prone. But the writer is cautious in limiting the scope of his argument to avoid possible oppositions. He has used qualifiers to make this essay seem more conceivable and grounded. He writes that a few simple rules will keep us, not from all but from silly errors. Here, a few, simple and not from all are used as qualifiers.
2. Evidences / Grounds
There are three evidences given to the claim.
The first evidence postulates that if we avoid prejudices and instead settle the nagging doubt by actual observation, it can be that simple rule to keep errors at bay. It also provides light to some simple methods to avert dogmatism that fuels the frequency of errors.
The next evidence is second rule that advises us to be wary of opinions that flatter our self esteem. Because, when we get the feeling that we are invincible and liked by everyone, we stop searching for the actual answer and think that only our opinion matters. This makes us vulnerable to commit more errors.
And the third evidence theorizes that conquering fears can be next step towards the discovery of reality and truth. When we fear something, we cannot think freely about many matters of great importance. Terror comes on the way to the pursit of truth and whether in the form of religion, something terrifying, something comforting or something unknown, terror prevents us from acting rationally which leads us to make illogical errors.
Warrant is not explicit in this essay maybe assuming that the rules are simple and easy to put into practice.
Image source: Google
3. Backing
Russell has provided three backings to the first evidence.
The first backing points out our weakness in thinking that we know about something when in fact we don't. This prevents us from making an observation to find out the reality. We settle with our own beliefs as being absolute and never put them to test. So, acute observation is necessary to avoid dogmatic response and statements.
The second backing says that the best way to get rid of convictions standing on poor foundations is to become aware of opinions held in circles different from your own. When we view same situation through the perspective of another person or group having different opinion than ours, we generate a certain caution that we seem as mad to them as they seem to us.
The third backing suggests that for those matters which are less easily brought to observation and exchange of opinions , one can use his psychological imagination to imagine an argument with a person having different bias. This allows him to reconsider his conviction and in many cases makes him realize that they were grounded on imperfect understanding.
There are two backings to the second evidence.
The first backing reveals that all of us are in one way or other firmly convinced of the superior excellence of sex, religion, country, culture or race that we belong to. Only when we get rid of such superiority complex can we open our eyes to the opinions and viewpoints of others that are more error free and appropriate.
The second backing makes us actualize that every opinion and the group that we belong to has its characteristic merits and demerits.
The third evidence is backed using a theoretical approach.
4. Rebuttal
The rebuttal to first evidence is: 'Not all evidences are brought to the test of experiment'. So, if an opinion contrary to our own makes us angry then it is time for us to reconsider whether our belief is going beyond what evidence warrants. The contrary opinion might have more weight and truth than ours.
The next rebuttal exemplifies that becoming aware of foreign customs doesn't always have beneficial effect by giving an example of Machus and Chinese.
The rebuttal to second evidence says that it is more difficult to prevent your self -esteem from being flattered. And hence, it suggests the only way to deal with the human conceit of thinking himself superior is to remind him that man is only a brief part in this cosmos which may contain superior beings than us as we are to coelenterates.
Hence, Russell's essay 'Keeping Errors at Bay ' contains most of the major components of Toulmin's model of argument.
2. Write an essay using Toulmin's model on an appropriate topic based on your reading of 'Keeping Errors at Bay'.
Image Source: Google
A Dogmatic Person is Apt to Commit More Errors
Every human being is prejudiced to some some extent, be it about his belief on something or his opinion on some matter. We all have many times in our lives thought that our belief is the right one. And we all make errors. Some of them may be due to lack of our knowledge but, many errors arise due to carelessness. To narrow the statistics, a dogmatic person is more likely to make more errors with reference to a situation, event or a topic of argument than a person having no such strong conviction about that particular subject matter.( Claim and Qualifier)
For instance, consider a person belonging to a particular political party. He will abide by the norms of that organization even if it sounds ridiculous to people of other parties. He will participate in the gatherings and talk shows which surely fuels his dogmatism. They are the same person who won't hesitate to commit hideous act in the name of their party. Though he may think that he is doing the right thing, dogmatism makes a person blind towards the numerous consequences of his actions. Such mentality can be referred to as brainwashed mentality. Same goes for people who are extremely patriotic, religious or a pure tradition follower. They limit the scope of their mind to gain knowledge on various aspects of the same topic. They are prone to make errors because they settle with the thinking that their belief is the absolute one. This prevents them from observing the other dimensions of the same story.( Evidence )
If there are two persons following different religion, culture and tradition, they will have different approach to reach a conclusion of a problem. But, some logical problems only have one correct answer. So, they both cannot be right at the same time. One of such dogmatic person is sure to commit errors. A person who is not dogmatic has the ability to approach the same problem in multiple viewpoints and ways. Because he is not bound to one particular way of thinking, he can hit and try as many methods as he can to reach the correct answer. He is hence, less likely to make more errors. (Warrant and Backing )
But having a certain conviction doesn't always have a bad side. If we choose our belief correctly then we are prevented from being distracted by multiple options in every matter. Being Dogmatic about right things means a person stands his ground no matter how much he is tempted to join the bad side. But it is necessary to consider the strength and credibility of foundation on which the belief is grounded. (Rebuttal )
Image Source : GoogleBeing a perspective essay, 'Keeping Errors at Bay' is designed in an argumentative fashion. Russel has deployed Toulmin's model of argument to convey his message on how we can refrain from committing silly errors. This essay changes our perspective on prevention of error as being a simple act of following some effective rules rather than a great feat achieved only by geniuses. The following elements of Toulmin's model can be perceived while going through the essay.
1. Claim and Qualifier
The claim of writer is explicit in the first paragraph. He claims that no superhuman genius is required to avoid the various foolish opinions to which mankind are prone. But the writer is cautious in limiting the scope of his argument to avoid possible oppositions. He has used qualifiers to make this essay seem more conceivable and grounded. He writes that a few simple rules will keep us, not from all but from silly errors. Here, a few, simple and not from all are used as qualifiers.
2. Evidences / Grounds
There are three evidences given to the claim.
The first evidence postulates that if we avoid prejudices and instead settle the nagging doubt by actual observation, it can be that simple rule to keep errors at bay. It also provides light to some simple methods to avert dogmatism that fuels the frequency of errors.
The next evidence is second rule that advises us to be wary of opinions that flatter our self esteem. Because, when we get the feeling that we are invincible and liked by everyone, we stop searching for the actual answer and think that only our opinion matters. This makes us vulnerable to commit more errors.
And the third evidence theorizes that conquering fears can be next step towards the discovery of reality and truth. When we fear something, we cannot think freely about many matters of great importance. Terror comes on the way to the pursit of truth and whether in the form of religion, something terrifying, something comforting or something unknown, terror prevents us from acting rationally which leads us to make illogical errors.
Warrant is not explicit in this essay maybe assuming that the rules are simple and easy to put into practice.
Image source: Google
3. Backing
Russell has provided three backings to the first evidence.
The first backing points out our weakness in thinking that we know about something when in fact we don't. This prevents us from making an observation to find out the reality. We settle with our own beliefs as being absolute and never put them to test. So, acute observation is necessary to avoid dogmatic response and statements.
The second backing says that the best way to get rid of convictions standing on poor foundations is to become aware of opinions held in circles different from your own. When we view same situation through the perspective of another person or group having different opinion than ours, we generate a certain caution that we seem as mad to them as they seem to us.
The third backing suggests that for those matters which are less easily brought to observation and exchange of opinions , one can use his psychological imagination to imagine an argument with a person having different bias. This allows him to reconsider his conviction and in many cases makes him realize that they were grounded on imperfect understanding.
There are two backings to the second evidence.
The first backing reveals that all of us are in one way or other firmly convinced of the superior excellence of sex, religion, country, culture or race that we belong to. Only when we get rid of such superiority complex can we open our eyes to the opinions and viewpoints of others that are more error free and appropriate.
The second backing makes us actualize that every opinion and the group that we belong to has its characteristic merits and demerits.
The third evidence is backed using a theoretical approach.
4. Rebuttal
The rebuttal to first evidence is: 'Not all evidences are brought to the test of experiment'. So, if an opinion contrary to our own makes us angry then it is time for us to reconsider whether our belief is going beyond what evidence warrants. The contrary opinion might have more weight and truth than ours.
The next rebuttal exemplifies that becoming aware of foreign customs doesn't always have beneficial effect by giving an example of Machus and Chinese.
The rebuttal to second evidence says that it is more difficult to prevent your self -esteem from being flattered. And hence, it suggests the only way to deal with the human conceit of thinking himself superior is to remind him that man is only a brief part in this cosmos which may contain superior beings than us as we are to coelenterates.
Hence, Russell's essay 'Keeping Errors at Bay ' contains most of the major components of Toulmin's model of argument.
2. Write an essay using Toulmin's model on an appropriate topic based on your reading of 'Keeping Errors at Bay'.
Image Source: Google
A Dogmatic Person is Apt to Commit More Errors
Every human being is prejudiced to some some extent, be it about his belief on something or his opinion on some matter. We all have many times in our lives thought that our belief is the right one. And we all make errors. Some of them may be due to lack of our knowledge but, many errors arise due to carelessness. To narrow the statistics, a dogmatic person is more likely to make more errors with reference to a situation, event or a topic of argument than a person having no such strong conviction about that particular subject matter.( Claim and Qualifier)
For instance, consider a person belonging to a particular political party. He will abide by the norms of that organization even if it sounds ridiculous to people of other parties. He will participate in the gatherings and talk shows which surely fuels his dogmatism. They are the same person who won't hesitate to commit hideous act in the name of their party. Though he may think that he is doing the right thing, dogmatism makes a person blind towards the numerous consequences of his actions. Such mentality can be referred to as brainwashed mentality. Same goes for people who are extremely patriotic, religious or a pure tradition follower. They limit the scope of their mind to gain knowledge on various aspects of the same topic. They are prone to make errors because they settle with the thinking that their belief is the absolute one. This prevents them from observing the other dimensions of the same story.( Evidence )
If there are two persons following different religion, culture and tradition, they will have different approach to reach a conclusion of a problem. But, some logical problems only have one correct answer. So, they both cannot be right at the same time. One of such dogmatic person is sure to commit errors. A person who is not dogmatic has the ability to approach the same problem in multiple viewpoints and ways. Because he is not bound to one particular way of thinking, he can hit and try as many methods as he can to reach the correct answer. He is hence, less likely to make more errors. (Warrant and Backing )
But having a certain conviction doesn't always have a bad side. If we choose our belief correctly then we are prevented from being distracted by multiple options in every matter. Being Dogmatic about right things means a person stands his ground no matter how much he is tempted to join the bad side. But it is necessary to consider the strength and credibility of foundation on which the belief is grounded. (Rebuttal )
Nyc and thanks
ReplyDeleteThis information really helped me a lot. It was very informative.
ReplyDeletefind out more