Argument diagramming in logic, law and artificial intelligence

2007/03/01 by Chris Reed, Douglas Walton, Fabrizio Macagno · 120 citations
Computer Science · Social Sciences · #Multi-Agent Systems and Negotiation #Artificial Intelligence in Law #Logic, Reasoning, and Knowledge #Argumentation theory #Argument (complex analysis) #Informal logic #Argument map #Epistemology #Context (archaeology) #Computer science #Artificial intelligence #Sociology #Philosophy #Geography

paper · doi:10.1017/s0269888907001051

published in The Knowledge Engineering Review 22(1), 87-109 (Cambridge University Press)

openalex publication_date 2007/03/01 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/07/28

Abstract

Abstract In this paper, we present a survey of the development of the technique of argument diagramming covering not only the fields in which it originated — informal logic, argumentation theory, evidence law and legal reasoning — but also more recent work in applying and developing it in computer science and artificial intelligence (AI). Beginning with a simple example of an everyday argument, we present an analysis of it visualized as an argument diagram constructed using a software tool. In the context of a brief history of the development of diagramming, it is then shown how argument diagrams have been used to analyse and work with argumentation in law, philosophy and AI.

Citations

• The Uses of Argument
• On the acceptability of arguments and its fundamental role in nonmonotonic reasoning, logic programming and n-person games

Cited by

• Using Argument Mapping to Improve Critical Thinking Skills
• Using Argument Diagramming to Teach Critical Thinking in a First-Year Writing Course
• A pluralist approach to argument diagramming
• A review of argumentation for the Social Semantic Web
• Argument map [wikipedia]