Argumentationstheorie

Seminar Winter Semester 2016

Content

Argumentation theory is an interdisciplinary area. Its goals include the representation, analysis, and evaluation of argumentations. Argumentation theory considers many aspects of arguments that are usually considered out of scope of logic :

1. Many claims are not provable, but there are arguments for and against them (pros and cons).
2. Argumentations may involve one, two, or more agents, who differ in their competence and their trustworthiness.
3. These agents may provide arguments that attack or support each other.
4. Arguments are often supported in non-deductive ways (e.g., with analogies).
5. The plausibility of the argument depends on the knowledge and the interests of the audience.

Didactic goals

1. The students study knowledge representation techniques for the representation of arguments in information systems.
2. The students learn how to critical read scientific literature, how to present and evaluate its content, and compare alternative approaches.

Participation and Exam

1. Participation is limited to 15 participants.
2. Prerequisite for the exam is (a) reading the papers that are assigned to the students and (b) regular and active participation in the discussions of these papers.
3. Exam: term paper, for details see here.