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139Story Similarity in Arguments from AnalogyInformal Logic 32 (2): 190-221. 2012.In this paper a hybrid model of argument from analogy is presented that combines argumentation schemes and story schemes. One premise of the argumentation scheme for argument from analogy in the model claims that one case is similar to another. Story schemes are abstract representations of stories (narratives, explanations) based on common knowledge about how sequences of actions and events we are familiar with can normally be expected to unfold. Story schemes are used (a) to model similarity be…Read more
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9Studies in Communication Sciences, 6, 2006, 3-26 . [link to online version posted].
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35This paper presents a formalization of informal logic using the Carneades Argumentation System, a formal, computational model of argument that consists of a formal model of argument graphs and audiences. Conflicts between pro and con arguments are resolved using proof standards, such as preponderance of the evidence. Carneades also formalizes argumentation schemes. Schemes can be used to check whether a given argument instantiates the types of argument deemed normatively appropriate for the type…Read more
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731Persuasive Definitions: Values, Meanings and Implicit DisagreementsInformal Logic 28 (3): 203-228. 2008.The purpose of this paper is to inquire into the relationship between persuasive definition and common knowledge (propositions generally accepted and not subject to dispute in a discussion). We interpret the gap between common knowledge and persuasive definition (PD) in terms of potential disagreements: PDs are conceived as implicit arguments to win a potential conflict. Persuasive definitions are analyzed as arguments instantiating two argumentation schemes, argument from classification and arg…Read more
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9Hendrik Kaptein, Henry Prakken and Bart Verheij (eds): Review of legal evidence and proof: statistics, stories, logic: Farnham, Ashgate, Applied Legal Philosophy Series, 2009, 288 pp (review)Artificial Intelligence and Law 17 (4): 371-377. 2009.
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23Baseballs and arguments from fairnessArtificial Intelligence and Law 22 (4): 423-449. 2014.This paper applies two argumentation schemes, argument from fairness and argument from lack of knowledge (along with other schemes of lesser prominence) to model the reasoning given by Judge McCarthy supporting his decision to divide the proceeds of a homerun baseball in the case of Popov v. Hayashi. Several versions of both schemes are explained and discussed, and then applied to the argumentation given by Judge McCarthy as the basis of the reasoning used to arrive at his decision. The scheme f…Read more
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It's all very well for you to talkInformal Logic: Reasoning and Argumentation in Theory and Practice 15 79-91. 1994.
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761Argumentative reasoning patternsIn Douglas Walton & Fabrizio Macagno (eds.), Proceedings of 6th CMNA (Computational Models of Natural Argument) Workshop, ECAI-European Conference on Artificial Intelligence, University of Trento. pp. 48-51. 2006.The aim of the paper is to present a typology of argument schemes. In first place, we found it helpful to define what an argument scheme is. Since many argument schemes found in contemporary theories stem from the ancient tradition, we took in consideration classical and medieval dialectical studies and their relation with argumentation theory. This overview on the main works on topics and schemes provides a summary of the main principles of classification. In the second section, Walton’s theory…Read more
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13Erratum to: Computational dialectic and rhetorical invention (review)AI and Society 26 (1): 19-19. 2011.
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20This paper considers how the terms ‘objection,’ ‘rebuttal,’ ‘attack,’ ‘refutation,’ ‘rebutting defeater’ and ‘undercutting defeater’ are used in writings on argumentation and artificial intelligence. The central focus is on the term ‘rebuttal.’ A provisional classification system is proposed that provides a normative structure within which the terms can be clarified, distinguished from each other, and more precisely defined.
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24International Commentary on Evidence, 2006 Vol. 4, Issue 2, 1-47 . [link to online version posted].
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The straw man fallacyIn Johan van Benthem (ed.), Logic and argumentation, North-holland. pp. 115--128. 1996.In this paper, an analysis is given of the straw man fallacy as a misrepresentation of someone's commitments in order to refute that person's argument. With this analysis a distinction can be made between straw man and other closely related fallacies such as ad hominem, secundum quid and ad verecundiam. When alleged cases of the straw man fallacy are evaluated, the speaker's commitment should be conceived normatively in relation to the type of conversation the speaker was supposed to be engaged …Read more
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130Dialectical Relevance in Persuasion DialogueInformal Logic 19 (2). 1999.How to model relevance in argumentation is an important problem for informal logic. Dialectical relcvance is determined by the use of an argument for some purpose in different types of dialogue, according to the ncw dialectic. A central type of dialogue is persuasion dialogue in which one participant uses rational argumentation to try to get the other participant to accept a designated proposition. In this paper, a method for judging relevance in persuasion dialogue is presented. The method is b…Read more
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17Johnstone's View of Rhetorical and Dialectical ArgumentInformal Logic 21 (1). 2001.In the writings of Henry W. Johnstone, Jr. there can be found an evolving and gradually more sophisticated discussion of the relationship between rhetorical and dialectical argument. Johnstone's view on these matters was highly original, and at odds with the prevailing logical empiricism of the time, much like Toulmin's views on argumentation in The Uses of Argument (1958). In view of the rising importance of the issue of the relationship between rhetoric and informal logic, Johnstone's analysis…Read more
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23A Dialectical Analysis of the Ad Baculum FallacyInformal Logic 34 (3): 276-310. 2014.This paper applies dialectical argumentation structures to the problem of analyzing the ad baculum fallacy. It is shown how it is necessary in order to evaluate a suspected instance of the this fallacy to proceed through three levels of analysis: an inferential level, represented by an argument diagram, a speech act level, where conditions for specific types of speech acts are defined and applied, and a dialectical level where the first two levels are linked together and fitted into formal dialo…Read more
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28with Thomas F. Gordon and Henry Prakken. Artificial Intelligence, forthcoming. [Preprint posted.].
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Classification of Fallacies of RelevanceInformal Logic 23 (1). 2003.Fallacies of relevance, a major category of informal fallacies, include two that could be called pure fallacies of relevance-the wrong conclusion fallacy and the red herring digression, diversion) fallacy. The problem is how to classify examples of these fallacies so that they clearly fall into the one category or the other, on some rational system of classification. In this paper, the argument diagramming software system, Araucaria. is used to analyze the argumentation in some selected textbook…Read more
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22Introduction to ‘Philosophy and Argumentum ad Hominem’Inquiry: Critical Thinking Across the Disciplines 12 (3-4): 24-24. 1993.
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46Speech Act Rules for Burden of Proof in a Modified Hamblin Dialogue SystemInformal Logic 31 (4): 279-304. 2011.In his book on fallacies, Hamblin built a very simple system for argumentation in dialogue he called the Why Because System with Questions. In his discussion of this system, he replaced the concept of burden of proof with a simpler concept of initiative, which could be described as something like getting the upper hand as the argumentation moves back and forth in the dialogue between the one party and the other. No doubt he realized that the concept of burden of proof was too complex a matter to…Read more
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66Computational Dialectic and Rhetorical InventionAI and Society 26 (1): 2011. 2011.This paper has three dimensions, historical, theoretical and social. The historical dimension is to show how the Ciceronian system of dialectical argumentation served as a precursor to computational models of argumentation schemes such as Araucaria and Carneades. The theoretical dimension is to show concretely how these argumentation schemes reveal the interdependency of rhetoric and logic, and so the interdependency of the normative with the empirical. It does this by identifying points of disa…Read more
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11How can logic best be applied to arguments?Logic Journal of the IGPL 5 (4): 603-614. 1997.This talk surveys a number of methods currently being developed that assist in applying logic to the evaluation of arguments used in particular cases. A case is seen as specified by a given text and context of discourse. The methods used are pragmatic, and are based on the Gricean Cooperative Principle , as implemented in several types of goal-directed conversational exchanges
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486Dichotomies and oppositions in legal argumentationRatio Juris 23 (2): 229-257. 2010.In this paper we use a series of examples to show how oppositions and dichotomies are fundamental in legal argumentation, and vitally important to be aware of, because of their twofold nature. On the one hand, they are argument structures underlying various kinds of rational argumentation commonly used in law as a means of getting to the truth in a conflict of opinion under critical discussion by two opposing sides before a tryer of fact. On the other hand, they are argument structures underling…Read more
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374Reasoning from Classifications and DefinitionsArgumentation 23 (1): 81-107. 2009.In this paper we analyze the uses and misuses of argumentation schemes from verbal classification, and show how argument from definition supports argumentation based on argument from verbal classification. The inquiry has inevitably included the broader study of the concept of definition. The paper presents the schemes for argument from classification and for argument from definition, and shows how the latter type of argument so typically supports the former. The problem of analyzing arguments b…Read more
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767Argument from Analogy in Law, the Classical Tradition, and Recent TheoriesPhilosophy and Rhetoric 42 (2): 154-182. 2009.Argument from analogy is a common and formidable form of reasoning in law and in everyday conversation. Although there is substantial literature on the subject, according to a recent survey ( Juthe 2005) there is little fundamental agreement on what form the argument should take, or on how it should be evaluated. Th e lack of conformity, no doubt, stems from the complexity and multiplicity of forms taken by arguments that fall under the umbrella of analogical reasoning in argumentation, dialecti…Read more
Areas of Specialization
Logic and Philosophy of Logic |
Philosophy of Computing and Information |
Areas of Interest
Philosophy of Action |
Philosophy of Law |
Philosophy of Computing and Information |