Logo: 3-attack

Automated argument assistance

Bart Verheij

Main
Sample screens
Background: DefLog
Introduction to ArguMed 2.0

ArguMed 3 based on DefLog (2001)
ArguMed 2.0 (1999)
ArguMed 1.0 (1998)
Argue! (1998)
NEW: my book on argument assistants (entitled 'Virtual Arguments On the Design of Argument Assistants for Lawyers and Other Arguers') is available.


As part of the ITeR project I have been working in, I have developed several experimental systems for automated argument-assistance. Argument-assistance systems are aids to draft and generate arguments, e.g., by
  • administering and supervising the argument process,
  • keeping track of the issues that are raised and the assumptions that are made,
  • keeping track of the reasons adduced, the conclusions drawn, and the counterarguments that have been adduced,
  • evaluating the justification status of the statements made, and
  • checking whether the users of the system obey the pertaining rules of argument.
Argument-assistance systems should be distinguished from the more common automated reasoning systems. The latter automatically perform reasoning on the basis of the information in their 'knowledge base'. In this way, an automated reasoning system can do (often complex) reasoning tasks for the user. Argument-assistance systems do not (or not primarily) reason themselves; the goal of assistance systems is not to replace the user's reasoning, but to assist in the reasoning process of the user.

Currently the following experimental systems can be downloaded:

  • Argue! (1998)
  • ArguMed 2.0 (1999) and its predecessor ArguMed 1.0 (1998)
  • ArguMed based on DefLog (2001)

Please report your findings (positive and negative) by sending a message to b.verheij at ai dot rug dot nl.
Bart Verheij's home page - research - publications