As someone who is interested in your own health and fitness, you're likely exposed to a lot of claims and promises about workouts, diets, and supplements. With so many different opinions out there, it can be difficult to determine which claims are credible and which are just marketing gimmicks.

Luckily, the Toulmin Model of Argumentation provides a framework for analyzing arguments. By using this model, you can assess the strength of fitness claims and make informed decisions about your fitness journey.

The Toulmin model was first introduced in 1958 by the British philosopher Stephen Toulmin in his book, The Uses of Argument. The model provides a systematic way of analysing and writing arguments by identifying their components and relationships. It consists of six components:

1. Claim: This is the statement being argued for.

2. Grounds: These are the evidence or reasons supporting the claim.

3. Warrant: This is the underlying assumption or rule that connects the grounds to the claim.

4. Backing: This is additional evidence, reasoning and assumptions that support the warrant.

5. Rebuttal: This is where potential counterarguments or objections to the claim are addressed.

6. Qualifier: This is any limitation or condition on the claim in light of the counter-arguments.

By using the model to evaluate fitness claims, you can determine if a claim is based on solid evidence or if it's just a marketing ploy. For example, let's say you come across a claim that a certain workout program will give you six-pack abs in just two weeks:

• Claim: “This workout program will give you six-pack abs in just two weeks.” Does this claim convince you at face value? If not, proceed to the grounds.

• Grounds: What evidence does the claim stand on? Let’s assume that the evidence presented is a before-and-after photo. Are you convinced then? If not, proceed to the warrant.

• Warrant: What is the relationship between the evidence and the claim? Does a before-and-after photo necessarily mean that the workout program will give you six-pack abs in two weeks? How probable is this supposed relationship? Let’s assume the warrant presented is social proof: “If all these people are endorsing it, then it must the true.” Does this convince you? If not, proceed to the backing.

• Backing: What scientific laws are appealed to? What law of nature predicts that social proof leads to six-pack abs in just two weeks? Let’s assume that the backing is the ‘law of attraction’: “Positive thoughts attract positive rewards and vice versa for negative thoughts.” Does this convince you? If not, proceed to rebuttals.

• Rebuttal: What are the counter-arguments by other experts and are they answered to fairly? Let’s assume the counter-arguments were attacked: “These other experts are biased.” While dismissing counter-arguments by labeling them as biased can weaken their credibility, it would be important to consider a more balanced approach. Counter-arguments raised by other experts may include skepticism towards the claim. They might argue that developing well-defined abs typically requires consistent exercise and proper nutrition over a longer time frame than two weeks, and they may emphasize the role of genetics in the process. Counter-arguments raised by other experts may also include skepticism towards the grounds, warrant and backing of the claim. It could be argued that the ‘law of attraction’ is a metaphysical concept rooted in personal beliefs, rather than a scientifically established law. Acknowledging these counter-arguments allows for a fair assessment of the claim’s feasibility.

• Qualifier: Do they modify their argument according to sound counter-arguments? Let’s assume that they appeal to relativism: “What is true varies depending on different context.” While relativism acknowledges that truth can be influenced by contextual factors, relying solely on relativism as a qualifier may not provide a strong basis for evaluating the claim. A more effective qualifier is to consider scientific consensus and empirical evidence. This approach emphasizes objective evaluation based on credible research and expert consensus, ensuring a robust assessment of the claim's validity.

  The questioning may continue and further unravel the structure of their argument. By drawing out the reasoning, you put yourself in a better position to decide how likely this workout program is to work for you. Notice that the Toulmin model proceeds with questions. It is basically like a child persistently asking, “Why?”

When evaluating an argument using the Toulmin Model, there are a few key components to look for:

• Clear and concise claim: The claim should be understandable, and it should be specific enough to be tested.

• Relevant and sufficient grounds: The grounds should be relevant and sufficient to support the claim. They should not be arbitrary.

• Reasonable warrant: The warrant should be logical, connecting the grounds to the claim. It should not rely on unsupported assumptions, wishful thinking, or biases.

• Strong backing: The backing should be credible, providing additional support for the warrant. It should not be based on unreliable sources or vague ideas.

• Addressed rebuttal: The rebuttal should take into account potential counterarguments or objections to the claim. It should not be ignored or dismissed without consideration.

• Appropriate qualifier: The qualifier should reflect any limitations or conditions on the claim. It should not be so vague or uncertain that the claim loses credibility.

By looking for these components, you can assess the strength of the argument being made. This can help you make informed decisions about which fitness programs, diets, and supplements to try, and avoid being swayed by marketing gimmicks or fallacious arguments.

The Toulmin Model can also be useful for identifying fallacies. A fallacy is an error in reasoning that makes an argument weak or invalid. By using the Toulmin Model to focus on the evidence and reasoning presented in a fitness claim, you can spot fallacies that may undermine the soundness of the argument.

Here are some examples of common fallacies that the Toulmin Model can help to highlight:

• Hasty generalization fallacy: This is where an argument makes a broad generalization based on limited evidence. For example, if someone argues that a certain supplement is effective based on a few personal testimonials, that would be a hasty generalization fallacy. By using the Toulmin Model to look at all the evidence, warrant and backing, you can avoid this fallacy and consider a broader range of evidence to support or refute the claim.

• Straw man fallacy: This is a tactic in which a counter-argument is misrepresented or exaggerated in order to make it easier to attack or refute. For example, if someone wants to incorporate cardio into their workout but is immediately scoffed, "So you're saying we should only do cardio and neglect strength training?" This would be a straw man fallacy; a distorted version of the argument is attacked instead of the original argument. By using the Toulmin model to asses the rebuttal, you can avoid the straw man fallacy and concentrate on the actual argument.

Overall, by using the Toulmin Model to evaluate fitness claims, you can avoid common fallacies and make more informed decisions about which programs, diets, and supplements to try. By focusing on the evidence and reasoning of the claim, you can avoid being swayed by marketing gimmicks and misinformation, and instead focus on what really works for you and your fitness goals.

Here's the Toulmin model framework restructured as a set of questions:

Clear and concise claim:

• Is the claim clearly stated and easy to understand?

• Does it accurately represent the argument being made?

• Is the claim specific enough to be tested and validated?

Relevant and sufficient grounds:

• Are the grounds provided directly related to the claim?

• Do the grounds provide enough evidence, reasoning, or examples to support the claim effectively?

• Are the grounds credible and trustworthy?

Reasonable warrant:

• Does the warrant logically connect the grounds to the claim?

• Are the assumptions or principles underlying the warrant reasonable and supported?

• Is the warrant free from unsupported biases or fallacies?

Strong backing:

• Does the backing provide additional support for the warrant?

• Is the backing based on credible and reliable sources?

• Does the backing reinforce the credibility and validity of the warrant?

Addressed rebuttal:

• Has the argument taken into account potential counterarguments or objections to the claim?

• Have the rebuttals been adequately addressed and refuted?

• Has the argument demonstrated awareness and consideration of opposing viewpoints?

Appropriate qualifier:

• Is the qualifier reasonable and appropriately applied to the claim?

• Does the qualifier accurately reflect any limitations or conditions on the claim?

• Does the qualifier still allow for a meaningful and valid argument to be made?

By evaluating these components, one can assess the strength, validity, and credibility of an argument within the Toulmin Model framework.

References

Toulmin, S. E. (2003) The Uses of Argument, Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.