22, The Carneades Argumentation Framework

Notes taken from ‘The Carneades Argumentation Framework (Using Presumptions and Exceptions to Model Critical Questions)’ (2003), by Thomas F. Gordon and Douglas Walton

“We present a formal, mathematical model of argument structure and evaluation, called the Carneades Argumentation Framework… (which) uses three kinds of premises (ordinary premises, presumptions and exceptions) and information about the dialectical status of arguments (undisputed, at issue, accepted or rejected) to model critical questions in such a way to allow the burden of proof to be allocated to the proponent or the respondent, as appropriate.”

1, Introduction

The Carneades Argumentation Framework uses the device of critical questions to evaluate an argument... The evaluation of arguments in Carneades depends on the state of the dialog. Whether or not a premise of an argument holds depends on whether it is undisputed, at issue, or decided. One way to raise an issue is to ask a critical question. Also, the proof standard applicable for some issue may depend on the stage of the dialog. In a deliberation dialog, for example, a weak burden of proof would seem appropriate during brainstorming, in an early phase of the dialog...

2, Argument Structure...

3, Argument Evaluation...

4, Conclusion...