Our group was asked to analyze the aspects of Toulmin argument used in chapter 9.
Claim: Modern use of the word “organic” has been rendered meaningless.
Grounds: Pollan gives anecdotes, starting on page 144, describing his trip to Cascadian Farm and Earthbound Farm to support his claim with evidence that organic farms are not truly as they are depicted by the labels on their products.
Pollan also finds hard facts to support his claim and states, “…The USDA…in 1997….allowed for the use of genetically modified crops an irradiation and sewage sludge in organic food production.” Pg 154
Warrant: “It would also be a mistake to assume that the word “organic” on a label automatically signifies healthfulness, especially when that label appears on heavily processed and long-distance foods that have probably had much of their nutritional value, not to mention flavor, beaten out of them long before they arrive on our tables.” Pg 181
Backing: “But perhaps most discouraging of all, my industrial organic meal is nearly as drenched in fossil fuel as its conventional counterpart.” “An industrial organic meal…does leave deep footprints on our world.” Pg 182
Qualifier: (When speaking of “industrial organic”, Pollan states), “Of course it is possible to live with contradictions, at least for a time, and sometimes it is necessary or worthwhile.” Pg 181
Rebuttal: In part 5 of Ch.9 “My Organic Meal” Pollan buys Organic food items for dinner and compares them to conventionally produced food items in order to address the counter arguments that organic may indeed be better. In response to the question of whether organic is better for taste Pollan states,”…Very likely, at least in the case of produce–but not necessarily.” In response to the question of better for his health, Pollan remarks, “ The answer, again, is probably—but not automatically.” Pg 177
