Argument Mapping and Teaching Critical Thinking APA Chicago April 17/08

Douglas Walton CRRARCentre for Research in

Reasoning, Argumentation & Rhetoric: U. of Windsor

Wikipedia: entry on Diagramming

Diagramming software consists of computer programs that are used to produce graphical diagrams.

[edit] Types of diagramming softwareUser-generated diagrams. As computer users seek to represent visual

information, such as a flowchart, tools such as Schematic, SmartDraw, Dia, OmniGraffle, Microsoft Visio, Inspiration, ConceptDraw 7, allow them to

express the information in the form of a diagram. Such programs are usually GUI-based and feature WYSIWYG diagram editing. There are also several diagramming tools available for developers, such as JGraph for the Java

platform. Some user-generated diagram software is UML compatible, allowing model-driven translation between graphic representation and

functional programming languages. Automatically generated diagrams. Programs are available as debugger front-ends, computer-aided software engineering (CASE) tools, or profilers.

Diagrams are usually automatically generated by the program.

The Discussion on Tipping

Bob and Helen are having a discussion on tipping. Helen is against tipping. She says that tipping is a bad practice because it lowers self-esteem, something she considers very bad. She puts forward the following argument. Dr. Phil says that tipping lowers self-esteem, and he is a psychologist.

Araucaria

Araucaria is a software tool for analyzing arguments. Itaids a user in reconstructing and diagramming anargument using a simple point-and-click interface. Thesoftware also supports argumentation schemes, andprovides a user-customizable set of schemes with whichto analyze arguments.

Once arguments have been analyzed they can be saved ina portable format called "AML", the Argument MarkupLanguage, which is based on XML.

http://www.computing.dundee .ac.uk /staff/creed/araucaria/

Screen Shot of Araucaria Window

Argument from Expert Opinion

Key List for Dr. Phil Example

(A) Dr. Phil says that tipping leads to lowered self-esteem. (B) Dr. Phil is an expert in psychology, a field that has knowledge about self-esteem. (C) Tipping leads to lowered self-esteem. (D) Lowered self- esteem is a negative consequence. (E) Tipping is a bad practice.

Diagram of Dr. Phil Example

Carneades: A New Argumentation System

The Carneades system for reasoning with argumentation schemes is a computational model that builds on ontologies from the semantic web to provide a platform for employing argumentation schemes in legal reasoning. The model is an abstract functional specification of a computer program that can be implemented in any programming language. It defines structures for representing various elements of argumentation, and shows how they function together in arguments. Arguments in the Carneades system can be visualized using an argument diagram because the basic structure it uses, the model of the semantic web, is that of the directed labeled graph.

Thomas F. Gordon, Henry Prakken and Douglas Walton, ‘The Carneades Model of Argument and Burden of Proof’, Artificial Intelligence, 171, 2007, 875-896.

Argument from Expert Opinion in Carneades

Enthymemes

Enthymemes are arguments with missing premises.

These are premises that were not explicitly stated in the text, but are needed or used in the argument.

Sometimes the missing part can be the conclusion.

Sometimes an argumentation scheme can help to identify a missing part.

Instrumental Scheme for Practical Reasoning

I have a goal G. Bringing about A is necessary (or sufficient)

for me to bring about G. Therefore, I should (practically ought to) bring

about A.

Scheme for Value-based Practical Reasoning

I have a goal G. G is supported by my set of values, V. Bringing about A is necessary (or sufficient)

for me to bring about G. Therefore, I should (practically ought to) bring

about A.

The Scalpicin Example

Harry has an itchy scalp. He needs Scalpicin. [Explicit argument in TV commercial]

Harry needs something that would make his scalp no longer itchy [assumption].

Scalpicin would make his scalp no longer itchy [assumption].

An itchy scalp is a bad condition or problem (negative value) [assumption].

A bad condition is something that should be removed if possible [assumption].

Diagram for the Scalpicin Example

Three Bases for the Enthymeme

Argumentation Schemes Common Knowledge Commitment Using argument diagrams is a way to bring all

three bases together and find the missing premises or conclusions in a given case.

Douglas Walton, ‘The Three Bases for the Enthymeme: A Dialogical Theory’, Journal of AppliedLogic, www.uwinnipeg.ca/~walton

The Animal Freedom Example

Animals in captivity are freer than in nature. [Claim made: conclusion of argument] There are no natural predators to kill animals

that are in captivity. [Reason given to support claim: premise] What are the missing premises?

Implicit Premises

There are natural predators to kill animals that are in nature.

[Implicit assumption based on common knowledge] If animals are in a place where there are no natural

predators to kill them, they are freer than if they are in a place where there are natural predators to kill them.

[Arguer’s commitment]

The Animal Freedom Diagram

References

Glenn Rowe, Fabrizio Macagno, Chris Reed and Doug Walton, ‘Araucaria as a Tool for Diagramming Arguments in Teaching and Studying Philosophy’, Teaching Philosophy, 29, 2006, 111-124.

Chris Reed, Douglas Walton and Fabrizio Macagno, ‘Argument Diagramming in Logic, Law and Artificial Intelligence’, Knowledge Engineering Review, 22, 2007, 87-109.

Thomas F. Gordon, Henry Prakken and Douglas Walton, ‘The Carneades Model of Argument and Burden of Proof’, Artificial Intelligence, 171, 2007, 875-896.

Douglas Walton, ‘The Three Bases for the Enthymeme: A Dialogical Theory’, Journal of Applied Logic, to appear. 2008.

All these papers are available as pdf files on the website of Douglas Walton: www.uwinnipeg.ca/~walton