Books by Douglas (University of Winnipeg) Walton

Walton here examines how reasoning operates in trials and other legal contexts, with special emphasis on the law of evidence. The model he develops, drawing on the methods of argumentation theory, can be used to identify, analyze and evaluate specific types of legal argument.

An exploration of situations where the argument from ignorance (default reasoning) functions as respectable reasoning, and those where it is fallacious. It draws on everyday conversation to show how the "argumentum ad ignorantiam" can be used appropriately/inappropriately to infer conclusions.

Designed to be a pragmatic approach, based on developments in argumentative theory, and analyzing appeal to expert opinion as a form of argument. The book identifies the requirements that make an appeal to expert opinion a reasonable or unreasonable argument.