The Added Value of Argumentation

We discuss the value of argumentation in reaching agreements, based on its capability for dealing with conflicts and uncertainty. Logic-based models of argumentation have recently emerged as a key topic within Artificial Intelligence. Key reasons for the success of these models is that they are akin to human models of reasoning and debate, and their generalisation to frameworks for modelling dialogues. They therefore have the potential for bridging between human and machine reasoning in the presence of uncertainty and conflict. We provide an overview of a number of examples that bear witness to this potential, and that illustrate the added value of argumentation. These examples amount to methods and techniques for argumentation to aid machine reasoning (e.g. in the form of machine learning and belief functions) on the one hand and methods and techniques for argumentation to aid human reasoning (e.g. for various forms of decision making and deliberation and for the Web) on the other. We also identify a number of open challenges if this potential is to be realised, and in particular the need for benchmark libraries.

[1]  Ivan Bratko,et al.  Automated Chess Tutor , 2006, Computers and Games.

[2]  Vasco M. Manquinho,et al.  The First Evaluation of Pseudo-Boolean Solvers (PB'05) , 2006, J. Satisf. Boolean Model. Comput..

[3]  Chris Reed,et al.  Argument Blogging , 2009 .

[4]  Phan Minh Dung,et al.  Argument-Based Decision Making and Negotiation in E-Business: Contracting a Land Lease for a Computer Assembly Plant , 2009, CLIMA.

[5]  Paul-Amaury Matt,et al.  Combining statistics and arguments to compute trust , 2010, AAMAS.

[6]  Claudette Cayrol,et al.  A Reasoning Model Based on the Production of Acceptable Arguments , 2002, Annals of Mathematics and Artificial Intelligence.

[7]  Munindar P. Singh,et al.  Distributed Reputation Management for Electronic Commerce , 2002, Comput. Intell..

[8]  Paolo Torroni,et al.  Bottom-Up Argumentation , 2011, TAFA.

[9]  Simon Buckingham Shum,et al.  Visualizing Argumentation: Software Tools for Collaborative and Educational Sense-Making , 2012 .

[10]  Peter McBurney,et al.  Decision Support for Practical Reasoning , 2004, Argumentation Machines.

[11]  Francesca Toni,et al.  Assumption-Based Argumentation Dialogues , 2011, IJCAI.

[12]  John G. Breslin,et al.  Argumentation 3.0: how Semantic Web technologies can improve argumentation modeling in Web 2.0 environments , 2010, COMMA.

[13]  Lillian Lee,et al.  Opinion Mining and Sentiment Analysis , 2008, Found. Trends Inf. Retr..

[14]  T ter Berg,et al.  Critical Thinking: Reasoning and Communicating with Rationale , 2013 .

[15]  Jim D. Mackenzie,et al.  Four dialogue systems , 1990, Stud Logica.

[16]  Martin Caminada,et al.  On the evaluation of argumentation formalisms , 2007, Artif. Intell..

[17]  Trevor J. M. Bench-Capon.  Value-based argumentation frameworks , 2002, NMR.

[18]  Phan Minh Dung,et al.  Towards argumentation-based contract negotiation , 2008, COMMA.

[19]  Chris Reed,et al.  Araucaria: Software for Argument Analysis, Diagramming and Representation , 2004, Int. J. Artif. Intell. Tools.

[20]  T. Gordon.  The Pleadings Game , 1993, ICAIL '93.

[21]  Alexander Bochman,et al.  Collective Argumentation and Disjunctive Logic Programming , 2003, J. Log. Comput..

[22]  Henry Prakken,et al.  Revisiting Preferences and Argumentation , 2011, IJCAI.

[23]  Federico Chesani,et al.  Arguing on the Semantic Grid , 2009, Argumentation in Artificial Intelligence.

[24]  Francesca Toni,et al.  Argumentative KGP Agents for Service Composition , 2008, AAAI Spring Symposium: Emotion, Personality, and Social Behavior.

[25]  Francesca Toni,et al.  Argumentation Dialogues for Two-Agent Conflict Resolution , 2012, COMMA.

[26]  Guillermo Ricardo Simari,et al.  On the accrual of arguments in defeasible logic programming , 2009, IJCAI 2009.

[27]  Phan Minh Dung,et al.  On the Acceptability of Arguments and its Fundamental Role in Nonmonotonic Reasoning, Logic Programming and n-Person Games , 1995, Artif. Intell..

[28]  Trevor J. M. Bench-Capon.  Persuasion in Practical Argument Using Value-based Argumentation Frameworks , 2003, J. Log. Comput..

[29]  Guillermo Ricardo Simari,et al.  Explaining Why Something is Warranted in Defeasible Logic Programming , 2009, ExaCt.

[30]  Guillermo Ricardo Simari,et al.  Defeasible logic programming: an argumentative approach , 2003, Theory and Practice of Logic Programming.

[31]  Edward A. Feigenbaum,et al.  Some challenges and grand challenges for computational intelligence , 2003, JACM.

[32]  Jarred McGinnis,et al.  A formal model of agent-oriented virtual organisations and their formation , 2011, Multiagent Grid Syst..

[33]  D. Walton,et al.  Commitment in Dialogue: Basic Concepts of Interpersonal Reasoning , 1995 .

[34]  Francesca Toni,et al.  Argumentative agents , 2010, Proceedings of the International Multiconference on Computer Science and Information Technology.

[35]  D W Glasspool,et al.  Supporting Medical Planning by Mitigating Cognitive Load , 2007, Methods of Information in Medicine.

[36]  Trevor J. M. Bench-Capon,et al.  Argumentation in artificial intelligence , 2007, Artif. Intell..

[37]  Ivan Bratko,et al.  Argument-Based Machine Learning , 2006, ISMIS.

[38]  Guillermo Ricardo Simari,et al.  Belief Revision and Argumentation Theory , 2009, Argumentation in Artificial Intelligence.

[39]  Chris Reed,et al.  Argumentation Machines, New Frontiers in Argument and Computation , 2004, Argumentation Machines.

[40]  João Alexandre Carvalho Pinheiro Leite,et al.  Arguments against the Troll , 2010 .

[41]  Guillermo Ricardo Simari,et al.  Argument Theory Change: Revision Upon Warrant , 2008, COMMA.

[42]  Ur Informationssysteme,et al.  Answer-Set Programming Encodings for Argumentation Frameworks , 2008 .

[43]  Steven Skiena,et al.  Large-Scale Sentiment Analysis for News and Blogs (system demonstration) , 2007, ICWSM.

[44]  Stefan Woltran,et al.  Reasoning in Argumentation Frameworks Using Quantified Boolean Formulas , 2006, COMMA.

[45]  Paul-Amaury Matt,et al.  Argumentation-based agents for eProcurement , 2008, AAMAS.

[46]  Michael J. Maher,et al.  An Argumentation-Theoretic Characterization of Defeasible Logic , 2000, ECAI.

[47]  Henry Prakken,et al.  Modelling reasoning about evidence in legal procedure , 2001, ICAIL '01.

[48]  Stefano Bistarelli,et al.  A Common Computational Framework for Semiring-based Argumentation Systems , 2010, ECAI.

[49]  Guillermo Ricardo Simari,et al.  Argument Theory Change Through Defeater Activation , 2010, COMMA.

[50]  Carlos Iván Chesñevar,et al.  Developing Argument Assistant Systems from a Usability Viewpoint , 2010, KMIS.

[51]  Paolo Mancarella,et al.  Computing ideal sceptical argumentation , 2007, Artif. Intell..

[52]  Paul-Amaury Matt,et al.  A Game-Theoretic Measure of Argument Strength for Abstract Argumentation , 2008, JELIA.

[53]  N. Iyadrahwa,et al.  Argumentation-based negotiation , 2004 .

[54]  Michael Wooldridge,et al.  Weighted argument systems: Basic definitions, algorithms, and complexity results , 2011, Artif. Intell..

[55]  Francesca Toni,et al.  Argumentation and answer set programming , 2011 .

[56]  Francesca Toni,et al.  Mechanism Design for Argumentation-based Persuasion , 2012, COMMA.

[57]  Ur Informationssysteme,et al.  Towards Fixed-Parameter Tractable Algorithms for Abstract Argumentation , 2011 .

[58]  Katie Atkinson,et al.  What should we do? : computational representation of persuasive argument in practical reasoning , 2005 .

[59]  Trevor J. M. Bench-Capon,et al.  Metalevel argumentation , 2011, J. Log. Comput..

[60]  Gabriella Pigozzi,et al.  An Implementation of Basic Argumentation Components (Demonstration) , 2011 .

[61]  Thomas F. Gordon,et al.  Pleadings game - an artificial intelligence model of procedural justice , 1995 .

[62]  Gabriele Kern-Isberner,et al.  On Influence and Contractions in Defeasible Logic Programming , 2011, LPNMR.

[63]  J. Dessalles,et al.  Arguing, reasoning, and the interpersonal (cultural) functions of human consciousness , 2011, Behavioral and Brain Sciences.

[64]  Vicent J. Botti,et al.  How Argumentation can Enhance Dialogues in Social Networks , 2010, COMMA.

[65]  Sanjay Modgil,et al.  Reasoning about preferences in argumentation frameworks , 2009, Artif. Intell..

[66]  Douglas Walton,et al.  The Carneades Argumentation Framework - Using Presumptions and Exceptions to Model Critical Questions , 2006, COMMA.

[67]  Bart Verheij,et al.  A Labeling Approach to the Computation of Credulous Acceptance in Argumentation , 2007, IJCAI.

[68]  Ulises Cortés,et al.  Increasing the Availability of Human Organs for Transplantation Through Argumentation Based Deliberation Among Agents , 2006 .

[69]  Thomas G. Dietterich.  What is machine learning? , 2020, Archives of Disease in Childhood.

[70]  Phan Minh Dung,et al.  Assumption-Based Argumentation , 2009, Argumentation in Artificial Intelligence.

[71]  Thomas Stützle,et al.  SATLIB: An Online Resource for Research on SAT , 2000 .

[72]  Miroslaw Truszczynski,et al.  The Second Answer Set Programming Competition , 2009, LPNMR.

[73]  C. L. Hamblin.  Mathematical models of dialogue1 , 2008 .

[74]  Guillermo Ricardo Simari,et al.  An Argumentative Reasoning Service for Deliberative Agents , 2007, KSEM.

[75]  Henry Prakken,et al.  A general account of argumentation with preferences , 2013, Artif. Intell..

[76]  C. Reed,et al.  Mixed initiative argument in public deliberation , 2010 .

[77]  Ivan Bratko,et al.  Elicitation of Neurological Knowledge with ABML , 2011, AIME.

[78]  Francesca Toni,et al.  Agent Strategies for ABA-based Information-seeking and Inquiry Dialogues , 2012, ECAI.

[79]  Henry Prakken,et al.  On logical specifications of the Argument Interchange Format , 2013, J. Log. Comput..

[80]  Guillermo Ricardo Simari,et al.  Towards Argument Representational Tools for Hybrid Argumentation Systems , 2011, HCI.

[81]  Miquel Sànchez-Marrè,et al.  CBR and Argument Schemes for Collaborative Decision Making , 2006, COMMA.

[82]  Henry Prakken,et al.  Coherence and Flexibility in Dialogue Games for Argumentation , 2005, J. Log. Comput..

[83]  Guillermo Ricardo Simari,et al.  On the evolving relation between Belief Revision and Argumentation , 2011, The Knowledge Engineering Review.

[84]  Henry Prakken,et al.  An abstract framework for argumentation with structured arguments , 2010, Argument Comput..

[85]  Iyad Rahwan,et al.  The Argument Interchange Format , 2009, Argumentation in Artificial Intelligence.

[86]  Geoffrey I. Webb,et al.  An Experimental Evaluation of Integrating Machine Learning with Knowledge Acquisition , 1999, Machine Learning.

[87]  Ulises Cortés,et al.  Deliberation dialogues for reasoning about safety critical actions , 2012, Autonomous Agents and Multi-Agent Systems.

[88]  Pietro Baroni,et al.  AFRA: Argumentation framework with recursive attacks , 2011, Int. J. Approx. Reason..

[89]  Simon Parsons,et al.  Modelling dialogues using argumentation , 2000, Proceedings Fourth International Conference on MultiAgent Systems.

[90]  Philippe Besnard,et al.  Checking the acceptability of a set of arguments , 2004, NMR.

[91]  Ilkka Niemelä,et al.  Logic programs with stable model semantics as a constraint programming paradigm , 1999, Annals of Mathematics and Artificial Intelligence.

[92]  Anthony Hunter,et al.  A logic-based theory of deductive arguments , 2001, Artif. Intell..

[93]  Michael Wooldridge,et al.  Properties and Complexity of Some Formal Inter-agent Dialogues , 2003, J. Log. Comput..

[94]  Herbert A. Simon,et al.  Applications of machine learning and rule induction , 1995, CACM.

[95]  John Mark Agosta,et al.  Highlighting disputed claims on the web , 2010, WWW '10.

[96]  Ivan Bratko,et al.  Learning to Explain with ABML , 2010, ExaCt.

[97]  Guillermo Ricardo Simari,et al.  Decision Rules and Arguments in Defeasible Decision Making , 2008, COMMA.

[98]  Henry Prakken,et al.  A Protocol for Arguing About Rejections in Negotiation , 2005, ArgMAS.

[99]  Claudette Cayrol,et al.  Graduality in Argumentation , 2011, J. Artif. Intell. Res..

[100]  Toni Granollers,et al.  Enhancing usability testing through datamining techniques: A novel approach to detecting usability problem patterns for a context of use , 2008, Inf. Softw. Technol..

[101]  Chris Reed,et al.  Building arguments with argumentation: the role of illocutionary force in computational models of argument , 2010, COMMA.

[102]  Bart Verheij,et al.  Artificial argument assistants for defeasible argumentation , 2003, Artif. Intell..

[103]  Peter Clark,et al.  Rule Induction with CN2: Some Recent Improvements , 1991, EWSL.

[104]  Phan Minh Dung,et al.  Dialectic proof procedures for assumption-based, admissible argumentation , 2006, Artif. Intell..

[105]  Sanjay Modgil,et al.  Proof Theories and Algorithms for Abstract Argumentation Frameworks , 2009, Argumentation in Artificial Intelligence.

[106]  S. Toulmin.  The uses of argument , 1960 .

[107]  W. O. Berry,et al.  Preface , 1988, Brain Research Bulletin.

[108]  Iyad Rahwan,et al.  Laying the foundations for a World Wide Argument Web , 2007, Artif. Intell..

[109]  Phan Minh Dung,et al.  An Abstract, Argumentation-Theoretic Approach to Default Reasoning , 1997, Artif. Intell..

[110]  N. R. Jennings,et al.  To appear in: Int Journal of Group Decision and Negotiation GDN2000 Keynote Paper Automated Negotiation: Prospects, Methods and Challenges , 2022 .

[111]  Stefan Szeider,et al.  Augmenting Tractable Fragments of Abstract Argumentation , 2011, IJCAI.

[112]  João Leite,et al.  Social Abstract Argumentation , 2011, IJCAI.

[113]  Pietro Baroni,et al.  Semantics of Abstract Argument Systems , 2009, Argumentation in Artificial Intelligence.

[114]  D. Warren.  An argumentation semantics for logic programming with explicit negation , 1993 .

[115]  Guillermo Ricardo Simari,et al.  Argumentation in Artificial Intelligence , 2009 .

[116]  L. Amgoud,et al.  On bipolarity in argumentation frameworks , 2008 .

[117]  Guillermo Ricardo Simari,et al.  Towards an argument interchange format , 2006, The Knowledge Engineering Review.

[118]  John Fox,et al.  Argumentation-Based Inference and Decision Making--A Medical Perspective , 2007, IEEE Intelligent Systems.

[119]  Glenn Shafer,et al.  Probability Judgment in Artificial Intelligence , 1985, UAI.

[120]  Francesca Toni,et al.  On the benefits of argumentation for negotiation-preliminary version , 2008 .

[121]  Paul-Amaury Matt,et al.  Dominant Decisions by Argumentation Agents , 2009, ArgMAS.

[122]  Vasa Curcin,et al.  The ArguGRID Platform: An Overview , 2008, GECON.

[123]  Thomas F. Gordon,et al.  The Pleadings Game , 1994, Artificial Intelligence and Law.

[124]  Ana Gabriela Maguitman,et al.  Empowering Recommendation Technologies Through Argumentation , 2009, Argumentation in Artificial Intelligence.

[125]  Ivan Bratko,et al.  Fighting Knowledge Acquisition Bottleneck with Argument Based Machine Learning , 2008, ECAI.