A principle-based robustness analysis of admissibility-based argumentation semantics

Abstract

The principle-based approach is a methodology to classify and analyse argumentation semantics. In this paper we classify seven of the main alternatives for argumentation semantics using a set of new robustness principles. These principles complement Baroni and Giacomin’s original classification and deal with the behaviour of a semantics when the argumentation framework changes due to the addition or removal of an attack between two arguments. We distinguish so-called persistence principles and monotonicity principles, where the former deal with the question of whether a labelling or extension of an argumentation framework under a given semantics persists after a change, and the latter with the question of whether new labellings or extensions are created after a change. We furthermore show in which sense labelling-based and extension-based semantics lead to subtly different principles and results. Our results can be used for choosing a semantics for a particular application, or to guide the search for new argumentation semantics, but they have been used also in the design of algorithms.

A Principle-based Analysis of Abstract Agent Argumentation Semantics

“…The modularity principle is related to the robustness principles of Rienstra et al (2020), which consider the addition and removal of arguments and attacks. We consider here only argument removal, which we call argument modularity.…”

“…In particular, the work of Amgoud and Vesic (2014) and the work of Kaci, van derTorre, and Villata (2018) have inspired us, although the principles discussed in our paper are mostly different from those studied in preference-based argumentation. In earlier work, two of the authors have related their axiomatic approach to the analysis of bipolar argumentation (Yu and Van der Torre 2020), and there are also close relations with the study of robustness principles (Rienstra et al 2020).…”

A Principle-Based Analysis of Bipolar Argumentation Semantics

“…Most of the principles we introduce and use for analysing bipolar argumentation are in the same spirit as the principles used in the principle-based analysis of Dung's semantics [40]. For example, the robustness of argumentation semantics when adding or removing attacks plays a central role [39]. In this paper, we consider robustness when adding or removing support relations.…”