Backing and undercutting in abstract argumentation frameworks

Abstract

This work will introduce a novel combination of two important argumentation related notions. We will start from the well-known basis of Abstract Argumentation Frameworks or AFs, and we will build a new formalism in which the notions corresponding to Toulmin's backings and Pollock's undercutting defeaters are considered. The resulting system, Backing-Undercutting Argumentation Frameworks or BUAFs, will be an extension of the AFs that includes a specialized support relation, a distinction between different attack types, and a preference relation among arguments. Thus, BUAFs will provide a richer representation tool for handling scenarios where information can be attacked and supported. © 2012 Springer-Verlag.